About Us
“READ the PLAY” is an innovative program which addresses the health and well being of young people.
“READ the PLAY” is a mental health literacy program designed for junior sports clubs. It was initially developed in conjunction with ORYGEN Youth Health and implemented in Geelong in 2006. With strong support from Barwon Health and an enthusiastic committee the program has been redesigned by headspace to be interactive and engaging.
The program targets the under-16 football and under-15 netball clubs within the Geelong, Geelong and District, and Bellarine leagues.
The program is delivered at the club by mental health workers, in conjunction with the club’s Player Wellbeing Officer. The format of the program is interactive and designed to engage young people through a series of team games.
The Kempe Group is our major sponsor. Other key sponsors and support organisations include City of Greater Geelong, headspace Barwon, Alcoa, Lions Club of Leopold and Geelong, De Grandi Cycle and Sport, Geelong Taxi Network, and the Bendigo Community Bank.
Our mission
To raise awareness of young people's health issues and guide them to the relevant support services
The aims of Read the Play are to:
Increase knowledge and awareness about mental health problems
Increase knowledge about local support services
Increase confidence and skills in guiding our youth to relevant support services
One in four young people between the ages of 15 – 24 will experience a mental health problem in any 12-month period 75% of mental illnesses first occur in people aged 15 to 24, yet . . . only one in four young people with mental health problems receive professional help.