This March, Ian Thorpe AM, Patron and Board Member of Australia’s most accessed online mental health service for young people, ReachOut, is calling on Australians to jump in the water and swim Laps for Life – a month-long swimming challenge.
“The mental health of young people across Australia has been profoundly impacted by issues such as Covid-19 lockdowns, high unemployment levels, financial stress and uncertainty about the future,” says Mr Thorpe, adding that “now is a vital time to get involved in this important cause”.
“As we move into 2021, ReachOut continues to support more young people across Australia than ever before.
“Despite the country-wide lockdowns, the Laps for Life community swam more than 35,000 kilometres in 2020. An incredible achievement.
“This year, I’m challenging everyone to help us smash that record by jumping in the pool or the ocean and get swimming to raise funds to support our young people.
“By joining Laps for Life you really are swimming to save lives by helping to improve youth mental health and reduce suicide,” he says.
In addition to supporting a worthy cause, Tracey Campbell, Director of Marketing and Fundraising at ReachOut, says taking part in Laps for Life also has wellbeing benefits for participants.
“2020 was a very challenging year and many of us will feel the impacts of Covid-19 for some time to come,” says Ms Campbell.
“That means some of us are starting 2021 feeling a bit flat. Swimming – and exercise in general – is a great way to improve our mental health and wellbeing.
“At the same time, swimmers help raise funds for the work ReachOut does to help so many young Aussies through whatever life throws at them.”
Laps for Life raises funds and awareness for young people in Australia living with mental health difficulties and to help prevent youth suicide.
This is a particularly significant cause this year, with young people’s mental health heavily impacted by Covid-19.
For more information, visit: lapsforlife.com.au/
