Schoolies is meant to be fun. Let’s keep it that way

 

 
This week marks the beginning of Schoolies for thousands of young Australians. ReachOut.com, Australia’s leading online youth mental health service, wants everyone to look after themselves and their mates, and reach out for help when things get out of hand.
 
ReachOut’s CEO, Jono Nicholas said, “Schoolies is about fun and celebration, but 1 in 4 people attending Schoolies say they hurt themselves during the celebrations. If you’re celebrating the end of year 12, have a buddy and know where to find help when you’re out of your depth.”¹
 
Schoolies is about partying and having fun, so chances are you or someone you know will be exposed to drinking and/or drugs. Be wise when making decisions and consider the impact of consuming too much alcohol or using recreational drugs. Remember that there’s life after year 12 and decisions during this week could impact the rest of your life.
 
Take a few extra precautions when you’re out celebrating – especially at night. 13% of young women said that they were sexually harassed during Schoolies.¹ Don’t swim at the beach at night, even if it’s well-lit, and always walk to and from the main areas in groups. Many young people at schoolies will be considering having sex; remember that just because someone hasn’t said ‘no’ doesn’t mean they’ve said ‘yes’.
 
When out partying, keep tabs on your mates. We know that 75% of males will be drunk every day during Schoolies.¹ Avoid mixing drugs and alcohol, and remember it’s okay not to do drugs or drink. If you’ve started the night pretty hard and want to stop drinking while you’re out, avoid drinking in rounds or order water at the same time.
 
“This is a great time of your life; however it can sometimes be affected by poor decisions or not knowing when or how to reach out for help. Being drunk affects your ability to make good choices, and there are easier ways of getting through a situation than getting into a fight,” said Nicholas.
 
Schoolies is all about having fun not consequences, so look after your mates.
 
Schoolies participants are encouraged to visit ReachOut.com for more tips and info on making Schoolies a great one – and a safe one.
 
-ENDS-
 
Updated: This media release was updated on 20 November 2014. View the original.
 
About ReachOut.com: ReachOut.com is Australia’s leading online youth mental health service. Designed to help young people under 25 stay connected and get through tough times, the service provides practical tools, forums and information in a safe and anonymous online environment.
 
Media enquiries: Jesse Krncevic, jkrncevic@primary-pr.com, 0466 813 066
 
Sources: 1. Schoolies stats at a glance – http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-11-18/schoolies-stats-at-a-glance/3679080