Ben & Liam announced as ambassadors for new initiative combatting online negativity

The Australian Suicide Prevention Foundation (ASPF) has launched a new competition aimed at lightening the load of negativity young people experience online, and triple j’s Ben Harvey and Liam Stapleton are on board as official ambassadors.

The competition gives secondary and tertiary students the opportunity to share in a $15,000 prize pool by creating a video with the theme ‘You Are Not Alone’ to show their support for the fight against suicide.

Ben and Liam came on board for the campaign as the issue was close to their hearts.

“The ‘You Are Not Alone’ campaign is extremely important; those four words can save lives,” said Liam.

“I have loved ones who battle with mental health issues daily. I’ve been lucky enough to have people around me who I trust and I can talk to.”

“In my time working in radio I have meet dozens of people who tell me they suffer from mental health issues but hearing a familiar voice in the mornings makes them feel like they have someone and they aren’t so alone,” added Ben.

The ASPF competition was launched today by the Minister for Mental Health, the Hon. Martin Foley MP at Albert Park College.

“We’ll continue working with organisations like the Australian Suicide Prevention Foundation to make sure young people know they’re not alone and that there is always hope,” Mr Foley said.

Other ambassadors include producer and DJ Alison Wonderland, and dual WNBL and AFLW athlete Monique Conti.

“The online world can be such a damaging place when you’re a teenager and trying to find youri dentity amidst self-doubt and the struggles of fitting in,” added ASPF medical director and psychiatrist Dr David Horgan.

“We believe these videos will shine a light in the darkness, and provide hope.”

Full details about the competition are at at www.youarenotalonecomp.com.au and for more info on ASPF head to www.aspf.com.au