Suicide is the last taboo, as difficult now as ever to talk about. We can only reflect on the why’s and what if’s when looking at a young life lost, so many families affected and of course the cost to our community.

This tragedy is likely to occur around 400 times this year and is the biggest single cause of death in young people.

You can help in a small but significant way by supporting our scholarship program. Rotary scholarships are available to study adolescent health and wellbeing at the University of Melbourne. Several course options are available including one-year certificate courses, two year graduate diplomas or further studies towards a master’s degree.

In fact Rotary Clubs around the state have provided more than 130 such scholarships to professionals who are working with young people.

They learn about:

• Developmental changes in adolescence
• The role of culture, family, school and peers
• The use of resiliency and youth developmental frameworks
• Sexual health, mental health, drug issues and high risk behaviour
• How different sectors and professions can work together
• How to use evidence for the things you do.

The course is offered part-time, by distant education with supportive subject co-ordinators to help every step along the journey.

And candidates don’t need a degree qualification to qualify for entry.

It is so important to provide access to formal study to enable professionals who are at the coal face to sharpen their skills to meet the increasingly complex needs of the young people in their communities.

Please give generously to Rotary’s Robbie Mitchell Scholarship.

The difference you make may be immeasurable.