Mission Australia promotes healthy living to youth at risk

A Mission Australia program being trialed in South Australia’s Riverland region is helping young people at risk improve their physical, mental and emotional wellbeing.

Jumpstart is an eight-week healthy living program funded by the Federal Government’s Department of Health and Ageing.

The Berri-based program is one of 12 Mission Australia has conducted across metropolitan and regional South Australia during 2009.

Mission Australia’s spokesperson, Michael Harris, said Berri's Jumpstart would help 22 participants – all from disadvantaged backgrounds – stay healthy and in touch with their community.

“The young people we help at Jumpstart have no knowledge of how to cook and eat healthily,” Mr Harris said.

“A major aim of the program is to make these young people aware of the benefits of good personal health, lifestyle and well-being, good food, their overall diets and exercise play in achieving health.  Getting those basics in order provides benefits that flow through in terms of good mental health and self-esteem.”

He said that in weekly sessions, the young men and women were learning to identify nutritious food options, prepare and cook healthy meals, and find ways to increase their daily physical activity. Each participant is also required to develop and complete a recipe book including options for breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks from the selections they make during the practical cooking element.

“By the time the program concludes on mid-December, we hope to see all participants thinking about their food and exercise choices; where they can go to learn more about eating wisely; and to have completed their individual recipe books as on-going reference tools,” Mr Harris said.

“The program has already been running for two weeks it’s obvious there has been an increased recognition about the value of healthy eating and a really enthusiastic response to the information. There’s real evidence the message is getting through.”

Mission Australia’s Learning Unlimited Southern Adelaide team leader, Nicole Black, said similar responses were evident among participants of the other Jumpstart programs in Whyalla, Christies Beach and across metropolitan Adelaide.

“Participant feedback is part of the information that is now being collated as part of an evaluation of the program and its potential for rollout across Mission Australia services in other regions,” Ms Black said.

“We’re working toward creating a program that can be introduced where and when needed in the many and diverse communities Mission Australia helps across South Australia - and possibly the country.”