Cranbrook and Kambala are among the schools who are leading the way by implementing an innovative wellness course and mental health program utilising dance called Like Me, Love Me, Follow Me.

The initiative covers everything from mental health and gender identity to online bullying and anxiety in a way that captures the attention of teenagers; through technology.

The creators, Shannon Hsu, an experienced Paddington dance teacher, and Tenzing Tsewang, who has worked as a wellness co-ordinator in Cranbrook, Kambala, Reddam, The Scots College and St Vincents, are both passionate educators in the teen sphere, and are convinced the program will be a “game changer,” provoking change by using social media, dance, film and music to discuss important issues.

“We didn’t want it to be some boring lecture which kids can’t relate to, we wanted it to be fun and interactive to get the message across,” says Hsu.

“We have to engage the next generation in a different way ... it’s a credit to these schools, some of which are traditional rugby ‘rah rah’ schools, that they are realising they need to embrace the wellness of their students, especially boys.”

The program is delivered through a feature film involving six dancers who face challenges such as bullying, anxiety and gender identity in school, portrayed through dance. The video was filmed at Kambala.

Afterwards the students log in to a website where they are able to discuss what they have seen with their peers and access information, help and advice.

The plan is to roll out the program in schools across the state with future topics to include drug use, body image and consent.

“The biggest asset to this program is that it has an open communication with students allowing information about health and wellbeing,” she added.

“I have found the kids lead the way, they start the discussions, they have so much information at their fingertips — they are talking. If we just listen, changes for the better can be adopted.

Hsu believes social media has had a big impact on kids.

“We know the causes. Access to each other 24/7, problems at school now coming into their bedrooms, comparing themselves with others and that kids expect success straight away because they see an idealised version on social media.

“When that doesn’t happen for them, they internalise those feelings which impacts their mental health.”

Hsu is convinced the program is unique and innovative. “We haven’t seen anything like this before. It’s done by kids for kids in a fun engaging way they can relate to,” she added.

I hope this program brings serious issues to the fore, and tells them it’s OK to feel anxiety and depression and they are not alone.

“I’ve been in this business for 12 years and I’ve come across thousands of kids and I can tell you this huge, it is going to have a massive impact.”