Dream Big – Suicide Prevention Place Based Trial

North Western Melbourne Primary Health Network (NWMPHN) commissioned $71, 880.00 for the Royal Children’s Hospital, Festival for Healthy Living (FHL)’s Dream Big program as part of the Suicide Prevention Place Based Trial across Melton and Brimbank. Dream Big provides art-based workshops and events with a focus on decreasing social isolation, promoting inclusion, and increasing students social and emotional well-being.

The project focused on students identified by schools because of poor mental health, including a history of self-harm or suicidal ideation. The program further supported the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community and members of Culturally and Linguistically Diverse communities to provide a targeted response to community need. Dream Big artists connected with young people through a range of art mediums and provided a safe environment for them to express their emotions through creative ways.

The overriding goal of the Dream Big project was to:

• enhance the mental health and resilience of children and young people by increasing resilience and coping skills of participants and;
• increase social inclusion and cohesion for participating young people, and cultural community groups.

Throughout the project term, Dream Big supported more than 4150 young people and provided over 230 activities, comprising of workshops and events.

A highlight of the Dream Big program was the event held in recognition of R U OK Day 2021. The Dream Big Youth Music Festival was an online culmination event for R U OK Day which featured students from 12 schools along with 10 Dream Big artists.

To view the R U OK Day event, https://www.livefm.online/dream-big-youth-music-festival