Healthy Deadly Kids Supporting Young People’s Health, Wellbeing and Confidence
Indigenous Wellbeing Centre’s (IWC) Healthy Deadly Kids (HDK) program is helping support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students to build confidence, improve their health awareness and develop important skills for their mental and physical wellbeing.
Delivered within local schools, the HDK program is facilitated by Simone Fletcher and Jaylen Skeen, with support from Senior Projects Coordinator Tanya Nagas and a range of special guests from health and community services.
The program was developed to address key gaps identified through research into children’s mental and physical health, providing students with age-appropriate sessions focused on building knowledge, confidence and healthy behaviours.
Throughout the program, students take part in sessions delivered by a variety of health and community professionals, including dietitians, dentists, pharmacists, police and other allied health services.
IWC utilises both internal services and external partnerships to bring these valuable experiences to students, with community professionals supporting Simone and Jaylen to deliver meaningful sessions each week.
The program has supported positive changes among students, including:
- Increased confidence and awareness around health and wellbeing
- Greater understanding of mental health and strategies to manage different emotions
- Encouragement to become more physically active
- Improved awareness around online safety
HDK Facilitator Jaylen Skeen said the program provides an opportunity to create lasting change for the next generation.
“I believe we can achieve a big change in the next generation with this program.”
HDK Facilitator Simone Fletcher said seeing students grow in confidence throughout the program has been incredibly rewarding.
“Watching the deadly kids' confidence grow over the course of the program has me confident our kids will have an understanding of their mental health.”
Senior Projects Coordinator Tanya Nagas highlighted the importance of educating young people about staying safe online.
“I believe the kids have more of an understanding of the safety of online social media.”
A key part of the HDK program is ensuring support continues beyond the classroom. Simone and Jaylen’s role does not end when the school sessions finish, with ongoing care coordination provided to support students and their families.
This includes:
- Connecting families with GPs and IWC services where required
- Supporting families to access 715 Health Checks
- Following up with families to identify any additional services IWC can provide
- Providing ongoing care coordination and support
Through Healthy Deadly Kids, IWC continues to strengthen connections between young people, families and health services while creating positive pathways towards healthier futures.