It’s OK Not to Be OK: Rotary Supports Youth Mental Health in Our Community

It’s OK Not to Be OK: Rotary Supports Youth Mental Health in Our Community

The Rotary Club of Mount Eliza was honoured to welcome Georgia and Tyla from It’s OK Not to Be OK to our recent meeting for an inspiring and deeply moving presentation on the state of youth mental health across the Mornington Peninsula.

Both presenters brought a unique blend of professional knowledge, community experience, and powerful personal insight. Georgia, a qualified social worker with experience at Reach Foundation, youth crime prevention, and Headspace Frankston and Rosebud, shared her passion for early intervention. Tyla, a local 22-year-old with strong ties to the Peninsula and a participant at the Paris Olympics, brought energy, authenticity, and lived understanding of the challenges facing young people today.

It’s OK Not to Be OK: Rotary Supports Youth Mental Health in Our Community

The Rotary Club of Mount Eliza was honoured to welcome Georgia and Tyla from It’s OK Not to Be OK to our recent meeting for an inspiring and deeply moving presentation on the state of youth mental health across the Mornington Peninsula.

Both presenters brought a unique blend of professional knowledge, community experience, and powerful personal insight. Georgia, a qualified social worker with experience at Reach Foundation, youth crime prevention, and Headspace Frankston and Rosebud, shared her passion for early intervention. Tyla, a local 22-year-old with strong ties to the Peninsula and a participant at the Paris Olympics, brought energy, authenticity, and lived understanding of the challenges facing young people today.

 

A Growing Challenge for Young People

The presenters outlined several confronting realities:

  • 1 in 7 Australian children lives with a diagnosed mental illness.

  • 50% of mental illness begins before age 14, highlighting the critical need for early support.

  • ABS data shows Australia loses 3,319 people a year to suicide, with nearly one in three Australians accessing a suicide-prevention service in the past year.

Both outlined how modern pressures — social media, disconnection, family stressors, and the lingering effects of COVID lockdowns — have significantly affected resilience and wellbeing in local schools.

A Personal Story That Started a Movement

Georgia shared the heartbreaking story of losing her younger brother Ben at just 22 years old. His death, without warning or note, transformed her family and ultimately inspired the creation of It’s OK Not to Be OK — with a mission to strengthen early mental health literacy and reduce preventable loss.

Workshops Making a Real Impact

The organisation now delivers evidence-based, practical, and engaging programs across primary schools, sports clubs, and community groups. Their offerings include:

  • Backpack for Life – Emotional literacy and coping tools for young children

  • Move of Your Mind – A blend of movement, boxing and mental health education

  • Adult Mental Health Literacy Workshops – For parents, teachers, coaches and clubs

  • Back From Loss – Guidance and support following bereavement

  • Thriving Spaces – Resilience and self-regulation programs co-designed with local schools

Each workshop integrates their core “Mental Health Toolkit,” covering routine, connection, sleep, nutrition, movement, and safe coping strategies.

Local teachers from Mount Eliza Primary School, Mount Eliza North Primary School, Kunyung Primary School and St Thomas More Primary School also attended the presentation and shared glowing feedback about the profound and immediate impact these workshops are having in their classrooms.

Community Matters

Rotarians engaged in a thoughtful Q&A, discussing:

  • The upcoming social media ban in schools

  • The lasting emotional effects of COVID on families

  • Whether the rise in mental ill-health reflects growing awareness or increased prevalence

Georgia and Tyla emphasised that early support, community connection, and conversation remain the strongest protective factors for children.

Rotary’s Ongoing Commitment

The Rotary Club of Mount Eliza proudly supports community wellbeing initiatives and acknowledges It’s OK Not to Be OK for their genuine, compassionate, and evidence-driven service to young people of the Peninsula.

We thank Georgia and Tyla for their openness, expertise, and dedication to keeping our young people safe, supported, and connected.

For further resources or if you need help or to speak to someone, here are some organisations you can contact:

 

Immediate Crisis Support

Youth & Family Services

Local Peninsula Services

Bereavement & Loss Support

For Parents, Educators & Coaches

  • Be You (Beyond Blue & Early Childhood Australia)
    Mental health resources for schools and childcare
    https://beyou.edu.au

Sponsors