Talison Lithium has signed a three- year partnership with Blackwood Youth Action Group to help deliver critical services to support the wellbeing of young people across the Warren-Blackwood District.
The $600,000 partnership, with potential for a further two-year extension, will enable the Blackwood Youth Action Group to deliver targeted mental health education and awareness programmes, early intervention strategies and treatment for young people aged 12 to 25 years across the local government areas of Bridgetown-Greenbushes, Manjimup, Boyup Brook and Nannup.
The BYA Pyramid Program is a four-level wrap-around approach to youth mental health, breaking down stigmas and providing support for young people in need.
In signing the Partnership agreement with BYA on Friday 5 May, Talison Lithium Chief Executive Officer, Lorry Mignacca, said Talison recognized the importance of building resilience in young people and providing opportunities for the future.
"We are proud to be partnering with the Blackwood Youth Action Group to increase mental health support services for young people in the Warren Blackwood region,” he said.
“Supporting the BYA also means supporting our workforce, their families, and the well-being of people in the communities surrounding the Greenbushes Lithium Operation," said Mr Mignacca.
"As we seek to expand our operations and recruit the workforce necessary to continue supplying the world with the raw materials required for the clean energy transition, we are keenly aware that young people in our region are our future."
BYA Chairperson Sarah Youngson said the partnership between BYA and Talison was important for BYA to be able to continue to run their programs and facilities.
“It is impossible to quantify the value for BYA and community of this partnership with Talison,” she said.
“Talison’s support means BYA is able to continue to provide mental health education and support for young people across the Warren Blackwood region and we are extremely excited about this partnership and what it will deliver to our future generations.”
The BYA partnership is part of Talison’s overall community investment strategy which includes a Sponsorships and Donations Programme providing cash and in-kind donations for community groups and organisations and education scholarships for schools in the Warren-Blackwood Education District.