Blackwood Youth Action and Talison Lithium sign $600,000 partnership to support youth mental health services

Mining company Talison Lithium signed a three-year partnership, worth $600,000, with youth organisation Blackwood Youth Action on Friday to help deliver and provide critical services to support the wellbeing and mental health of young people across the Warren-Blackwood district. The partnership, with the potential for a further two-year extension, will enable the Blackwood Youth Action Group to deliver mental health education and awareness programs, along with early intervention strategies and treatment for young people aged 12 to 25 years across the shires of Bridgetown-Greenbushes, Manjimup, Boyup Brook and Nannup. The BYA Pyramid Program is a four-level approach to youth mental health, breaking down stigmas and providing support for young people in need. In signing the partnership agreement with BYA on Friday, Talison Lithium chief executive Lorry Mignacca said Talison recognised the importance of increasing the support for youth mental health and opportunities for the future. “We are proud to be partnering with the Blackwood Youth Action Group to increase mental health support services for young people in the Warren Blackwood region,” he said. “Supporting the BYA also means supporting our workforce, their families, and the wellbeing of people in the communities surrounding the Greenbushes lithium operation.” He also said as Talison expanded their operations, he was aware that young people in the region were the future. BYA Chairperson Sarah Youngson said the partnership between BYA and Talison was important for BYA to be able to continue to run their programs and facilities. “It is impossible to quantify the value for BYA and community of this partnership with Talison,” she said. “Talison’s support means BYA is able to continue to provide mental health education and support for young people across the Warren Blackwood region and we are extremely excited about this partnership and what it will deliver to our future generations.” The BYA partnership is part of Talison’s overall community investment strategy which includes a sponsorship and donations program providing cash and in-kind donations for community groups and organisations and education scholarships for schools in the Warren-Blackwood Education District.