Extra energy for northern suburbs

Geelong refinery operator Viva Energy will donate $3 million to support mental health and substance abuse programs in the city’s northern suburbs.
The program, called Jigsaw, will be in partnership with headspace National Youth Mental Health Foundation and Northern Futures to address joblessness in disadvantaged areas.
Viva chief Scott Wyatt said the program would help drive positive social change and encourage support from employees.
“Part of Viva’s program is geared towards building and supporting role models in communities capable of making a difference to address mental health and substance abuse,” Mr Wyatt said.
“Through Viva’s support, our national partnership with headspace will create new opportunities for 12-25 year olds to reduce the stigma of mental illness among young people and encourage those at risk to seek help.”
The program would train mental health role models to help them share their stories, he said.
The Northern Futures partnership in Geelong would assist community members most at risk of joblessness in Geelong’s northern suburbs.
“The Viva Energy Role Model Scholarship Program will subsidise participants undertaking a certificate one, two or three training course, including associated expenses such as transport and meals.”
headspace CEO Chris Tanti said that 75 per cent of mental health disorders emerged before the age of 25.
“By treating these issues early and providing a holistic model of support, the risk of them developing into more serious problems, including suicide, is greatly decreased,” Mr Tanti said.
“Building the capacity of these local youth reference groups is a really important and valuable role that Viva Energy is generously supporting,” he said.
Northern Futures head Lou Brazier said the project would deliver tailored training and education programs to people facing multiple barriers to employment.
“These scholarships will help us engage job seekers who are hardest to reach and need more individualised support than traditional training and employment services can provide,” Ms Brazier said.
“Northern Futures achieves outcomes from training to employment almost double the national average for similar programs.”