’Take it national’

LEADING Australian psychologist Dr Michael CarrGregg would like to see Geelong-founded mental health program Read the Play rolled out nationally.

The high-profile author and parenting expert has formalised his backing of the organisation, signing on as a co-patron with Frank Costa, who has been involved since its inception.

Dr Carr-Gregg said there was a “desperate need” for exactly the sort of health and wellbeing education Read the Play has been providing to regional football and netball clubs in Victoria for 12 years.

“The current situation is dire. One in seven of our primary and one in four of secondary school kids have a mental health problem but only 30 per cent of them actively seek help,” he said.

“Read the Play is about giving both kids and the community the skills, knowledge and strategies to seek help and to seek help early.”

Deakin University is conducting an investigation into the program that it is hoped will provide evidence of the difference it is making in the community and, in turn, help attract government funding.

Dr Carr-Gregg said, if adequately funded, Read the Play could be a “game changer”.

“If we could replicate that model throughout Victoria and throughout Australia I think we would be in much better shape,” he said.

Read the Play founder David Langley said the privately funded program reached more than 4000 young people a year but Dr Carr-Gregg’s backing would take it to a new level.

Dr Carr-Gregg will visit the city for a Read the Play event this Monday at Geelong Library and Heritage Centre focusing on how to use technology to build wellbeing and treat disorders of depression and anxiety in young people.