A MENTAL health program for teens was launched at Port Hacking High School last week.
October marks NSW Mental Health month.
The project was aimed to increase the well-being of young people in Sutherland Shire by building positive psychology strategies.
It was supported by community services including headspace, Reconnect, Project Youth, Caringbah Community Heath.
Students participated in workshops including a self-portrait competition that gave them the opportunity to view themselves as "unique", through a photo, collage, painting or sculpture.
School counsellor Lisa Warner said the forum aimed to remove any sense of shame about mental health and to help people to use appropriate ways to get help.
"Promoting positive mental well-being is a high priority within the school, but students are often too ashamed to seek help," Mrs Warner said.
"As a registered psychologist, I know only too well the issues faced by adolescents.
"They are unaware of the support networks available, and often feel isolated resulting in them not reaching out to their friends."
The program was targeted at year 8 students.
"Year 7 are a little too young to understand the concept, and by year 9 many students begin experiencing social issues and associated mental health problems," Mrs Warner said.
"It was about reaching out to those students who would otherwise not have access to this information.
"The message was that it's 'OK to be me, and OK not to be OK.'
"It was about accepting life's ups and downs, and developing skills to make life more meaningful to increase connections with family and school."
Business including Tradies Gymea, Acco Australia, Lions Club Caringbah, Kmart Sylvania and McDonald's Sutherland Shire Network sponsored the event.
