Adrian Anderson launches own program to tackle youth mental health in Granite Belt

A former Granite Belt resident says he wants to make a difference in young people’s lives by teaching them in a fun, educational way about how to be resilient. Here’s how his program will work.

A former Granite Belt resident plans to use his own battles with mental illness to offer advice and guidance to those most vulnerable in the community.

After teaching students martial arts for years, Adrian Anderson said started up ProjectANDO because he recognised the need to focus kid’s attention on mental health awareness.

Adrian Anderson who grew up in Ballandean wants to help kids speak about their mental health. Photo: Contributed

Through the program Mr Anderson hoped to encourage kids to talk more about their problems and seek help when they are struggling to cope by visiting primary schools, childcare centres and kindergartens across the region.

Using donated costumes like a giant smiley face head and blue suit, he will don the outfit and become a mime called ANDO.

“I will be interacting using a voiceover and they will be learning by seeing me acting out the scenarios,” he said.

“From the child’s point of view, they will see these things acted out and learn how to deal with and have self-control when they are in difficult situations.”

Mr Anderson said this method would be beneficial as it wouldn’t be “in your face” and would teach them about mental health in a fun way.

Using donated costumes like a giant smiley face head and blue suit Mr Anderson will don the outfit and become a mime called ANDO. Photo: Contributed

Mr Anderson said he has built the program and mime act based upon his own battle with mental health and seeing kid’s struggles.

“I know I can act and do those personas. I’ve moulded (the performance) around myself and my own battles the past 18 months,” he said.

It is especially important to build resilience in young children according to Mr Anderson with bullying a prevalent issue among kids.

“You have got to tackle really basic versions of self-control, so getting them talking about themselves and others is a good starting point,” he said.

“Hopefully it will also encourage them to be nicer to each other.

Mr Anderson said he has built the program and mime act based upon his own battle with mental health and seeing kid’s struggles. Photo: Contributed

“My end goal is to get to every town and city and I want to set up my own foundation that continues helping Australian kids with educational health and safety.”