The Resilience Project is an Australia-wide program that teaches practical, evidence-based mental health strategies to build mental resilience and happiness.

Program presenters have worked with the Australian Football League, the National Rugby League, schools and businesses.

The program will be open to all residents and Stawell Primary School has already signed up.

Principal Robyn Jones said any additional tools to help children were welcome.

“It is so important to support the well-being and mental health of our children,” she said.

“As principals, we have certainly noticed an increased need for extra support in our schools. Our students face so many challenges in their lives – challenges we didn’t have to deal with growing up.”

Beyond Blue statistics for 2013-14 show 13.9 per cent of young people aged four to 17 years experienced a mental health disorder.

A 2017 Black Dog Institute report found that young people faced a variety of issues including body image, study pressure, family conflict, bullying, depression and coping with stress. 

The program was introduced in St Arnaud earlier this year and Northern Grampians Shire mayor Kevin Erwin said it was becoming renowned. 

“Apparently people from Stawell were going to other areas to hear the program, so they’ve obviously recognised that it’s good,” he said.

“It’s fairly in-depth. It’s not just come and hear a speaker. They give (teachers) tools they can use in the classroom so they can start to help people get through those tough times.”

Stawell Learning Alliance is facilitating the program and a community information session is on January 30 at 7pm at the Stawell Entertainment Centre.

The council said Stawell school students would participate in their own sessions on January 31 and February 1, with students from outlying schools able to be transported to Stawell.

The program is free but bookings are essential, and Cr Erwin said people could phone the Town Hall on 5358 8700 and ask for the community development team, or book online via Eventbrite.