Young Minds, Big Impact! John Curtin College of the Arts Students Fuel Over $250K Mental Health Project

John Curtin College of the Arts students are at the forefront of a revolutionary new project aimed at improving the mental health of young people.

A collaborative effort between JCCA students and the Royal Perth Bentley Group (RPBG) East Metropolitan Youth Unit (EMyU) has resulted in HabitHack, a groundbreaking initiative designed to support adolescents transitioning from hospital care. The project has secured a substantial $260,092 grant from the Future Health Research Innovation Fund (FHRI) to bring its vision to life.

HabitHack aims to “gamify” mental health recovery, making it engaging and rewarding for young people to maintain healthy behaviours and coping mechanisms. By incorporating elements of gaming into the EMyU’s healthy behaviours program, the project seeks to empower adolescents to take control of their mental wellbeing.

The initiative’s roots trace back to the 2021 EMHS Youth Innovation Think Tank where JCCA students initially proposed the concept. Their continued involvement has been instrumental in shaping HabitHack’s development.

Louise Splatt from the EMyU Occupational Therapy team expressed her enthusiasm for the project, highlighting the invaluable contributions of JCCA students. “These students were instrumental in developing the original idea and continue to be passionate about improving youth mental wellbeing,” she said.

HabitHack is part of the Western Australian Government’s Innovation Challenge – Sustainable Health Priorities Program, which supports initiatives that deliver better health outcomes for the community.

“The Innovation Challenge – Sustainable Health Priorities Program is a testament to our commitment to enhancing the lives of Western Australians,” said Medical Research Minister Stephen Dawson.

By providing young people with the tools and support they need to thrive, HabitHack is poised to significantly improve mental health outcomes and create a brighter future for adolescents.

The recent announcement of the grant marks a significant milestone for both JCCA and EMyU. As the project moves forward, JCCA students will continue to play a vital role in shaping HabitHack and ensuring it meets the needs of young people. 

We congratulate our students on their innovative thinking and the EMHS team for their dedication to this important initiative. 

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