YAM – Youth Aware of Mental Health, is a school-based program for young people aged 13-17, in which they learn about and discuss mental health.

Students are invited to role-play and discuss everyday situations that are important to them. The topics range from relationships with peers and adults, changes in mood, to feeling sad or facing a stressful situation. As a group, the students reflect on how they might feel if faced by such events and discuss how to handle challenging real-life situations.

YAM is delivered in schools in five one-hour long sessions over three weeks by accredited Instructors. During these sessions mental health is explored through role play, presentations, discussion and a booklet for each young person to keep.

At Bomaderry High School the YAM program will be delivered annually to Year 9 students.