Living the Dream Foundation

Towards Healthy Communities: Mental Health Support for Young Mensu

Towards Healthy Communities: Mental Health Support for Young Mensu

The Towards Healthy Community initiative by Living the Dream Foundation is designed to support 20 young men aged 18 to 25 who suffer from severe mental health conditions such as schizophrenia and PTSD. These individuals face social disconnection, isolation, loneliness, risk of suicide, self-harm, homelessness, and lack of employment or education. Mental health issues among ...

GOAL

$138,000

Australia > VIC > Metro
10/01/2024 > 31/10/2025

Field of Interest

  • Community and economic development
  • Health/wellbeing and medical research

Target Population

  • People experiencing socio-economic disadvantage or vulnerability
  • Young people (6-25)
Living the Dream Foundation Living the Dream Foundation

To live the dream, one must create it.

Living the Dream Foundation provides personal training and mentoring services to engage the most vulnerable and at-risk children and young people. Supporting those under 12 and youth aged 13 to 25, we foster environments where participants feel welcomed, safe, and empowered. Our Wellbeing, Mentoring, and Member Care programs guide them through hardships and uncertainties, aiming to help them become vibrant and active members of society.

Led by Australian Olympian Richard Weiss, Living the Dream Foundation strives for a healthy community where no child or young person is left behind. We offer essential services that pave the way for a better quality of life, collaborating with parents, Frankston City Council Youth Service, Frankston Police, Peninsula Health, the Salvation Army, McClelland College, and others.

We understand the needs of young people and families in our community, focusing on those from low-income families, women and girls with poor mental health, young people in the youth justice system, and those experiencing poverty, unemployment, and disengagement. Our programs are designed to address short-, medium-, and long-term outcomes based on our clients' needs. Participants access daily or weekly face-to-face or remote sessions, individually or in groups, for up to 60 minutes.

Our impact is significant despite financial constraints limiting us to working directly with up to 60 young individuals annually and indirectly with up to 80 through community outreach. Using our Mental Health Scale tool, 90% of our clients report improved mental health after sessions. Our community-driven projects make a personal impact on the most vulnerable and at-risk children and young people.

Project Summary

The Towards Healthy Community initiative by Living the Dream Foundation is designed to support 20 young men aged 18 to 25 who suffer from severe mental health conditions such as schizophrenia and PTSD. These individuals face social disconnection, isolation, loneliness, risk of suicide, self-harm, homelessness, and lack of employment or education.

Mental health issues among young men aged 18 to 25 are of significant concern. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, approximately 15% of Australians aged 18-24 experience high or very high levels of psychological distress, with conditions such as schizophrenia and PTSD being notable contributors.

Efforts to address these challenges focus on providing comprehensive mental health support, including access to health professionals and counselling. Our core programs Wellbeing, Mentoring and Member Care will focus on improving people’s overall well-being and quality of life​.

For 12 months, participants will receive one-on-one personal coaching and mentoring once or twice weekly. Our goal is to reach those who feel lost and voiceless, assisting them in coping with their mental health conditions and improving their quality of life. Each session, lasting up to 60 minutes, will be tailored to the individual’s preferences, incorporating physical activities and mentoring.

Physical activities will focus on enhancing physical health, particularly addressing prescribed medications’ severe or permanent side effects. Mentoring will provide a safe space for open discussions, enabling participants to express their challenges and experiences living with severe mental health conditions.

We will employ our Mental Health Scale tool to identify daily triggers and challenges. Insights from this tool will guide our discussions, helping participants navigate uncertainties and access practical resources to improve their quality of life.

After each session, participants will receive a healthy meal, in an effort to addressing financial difficulties, lack of regular meals, cooking challenges, and eating disorders related to their conditions.

Living the Dream Foundation values solidarity, empathy, and the establishment of meaningful connections with the most vulnerable individuals in our community. This initiative aims to significantly impact the lives of young men facing severe mental health challenges.

Project Outcomes

Engagement - Build strong and empathetic connections to bridge the gap between the foundation and those in need. Engage 20 men in our services, working together in solidarity to address hardships and create positive change.

Data and Insights - Create equal opportunities for men with severe mental health conditions and PTSD by providing access to resources and services that enhance their quality of life. Utilise the Mental Health Scale tool to gather essential data and insights, identify specific challenges, and find practical yet effective solutions.

Impact - Experience the transformative power of physical, recreational, and mentoring activities in a safe, supportive environment that fosters personal development. These young men will improve their physical health, confidence, and build long-lasting connections. They will set and achieve short-, medium-, and long-term goals through personalized action plans, monitored by in-depth mental health analyses reflecting improved confidence, motivation, behaviour, and community engagement.

Community Engagement - Establish new partnerships with organisations such as SANE Australia and collaborate with the community to provide resources, opportunities, and support, helping these men find hope and build a better future. Practical community engagement includes connecting them to flexible employment empowering them to use resources previously inaccessible due to isolation, fear, or limited confidence, and strengthening financial literacy.

Future - Expand this initiative and the model of our services to other metropolitan areas and regional Victoria. Meet with up to six potential partners to discuss collaboration and financial commitment, creating opportunities for broader impact.

Budget Breakdown

TOTAL BUDGET: $138,000
FUNDING
Funding source Amount
Funding gap (unconfirmed) $138,000
EXPENSES
Expense item Amount
Project Delivery $120,000
Provision of meals $10,000
Equipment and merchandise $5,000
Evaluation $3,000

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Contact Us
Level 6, 126 Wellington Parade, East Melbourne VIC 3002

We acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the first inhabitants and Traditional Custodians of the lands on which we live, learn and work. We pay our respects to Elders past and present.

Australian Communities Foundation is a proudly inclusive organisation and an ally of LGBTQIA+ communities and the movement toward equality.