Will Brings Batyr to Town

“Losing Will was such a tragedy but I think what is happening now will save lives, we are turning things around,” said Gabie Madden.

Gabie is the cousin of Will Carrigan who took his life last Christmas and she was also one of the first students in the Upper Hunter to benefit from Batyr visiting the area yesterday to educate students about mental health.

The Where There’s A Will charity was established by Will’s family to educate young people in the Upper Hunter and prevent suicide and the first action of the charity was to bring Batyr to schools in the Upper Hunter this week.

Lucinda Nash, regional program coordinator for Batyr said the holistic approach the charity had taken was exciting.

“We would love to do more work with Where There’s A Will, because it is a way to work with whole communities,” said Ms Nash.

“It is really exciting to be able to work with five schools and all of the major towns because that is how your message can really make a difference, when you take a holistic community approach,” Lucinda Nash said.

Batyr runs education programs in schools led by young speakers who have personal experience with mental health hardships, can share stories of resilience and hope and help students help each other.

“Mental health is a spectrum, we all have mental health sometimes it is good, sometimes it’s not great and sometimes we have an illness; we all have days that are better than others,” said Josh Wiseman, facilitator of the Batyr program.

The messages resonated with the students who gave anonymous feedback including:

“Mental health isn’t all bad and the speakers are hectic.”

“It is important to know who your 4am friend is.”

“I was glad to hear the stories, because I realised I am not alone in what I am going through and there is hope.”

The students are only four weeks away from sitting their Higher School Certificate and principal John Tobin said they were grateful to Pauline Carrigan for her initiative.

“This was very meaningful for the kids, especially at this time as they approach their HSC,” said Mr Tobin.

“It is great that Batyr have young people to present, which has more impact than a teacher standing up there,” he said.

“The Where There’s A Will charity has opened up a discussion of where we can go to get young people help and an ongoing discussion needs to happen and will keep happening,” John Tobin said.

Related story:

• Will’s Legacy Grows – Aug 26, 2016.