Australian Air Force Cadets in Townsville will pilot a new CADETLiFe program designed to build their resilience to life?s challenges and adolescent mental health issues.
The Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Defence and Member for Herbert, Mr Peter Lindsay, launched the Townsville Air Force Cadets pilot of the CADETLiFe program at RAAF Base Townsville.
?Australian Air Force Cadets from Townsville have been given a unique opportunity to pilot this exciting new program ? which is a first for Queensland, a first for Defence, and possibly a first in the national and international youth mental health arena,? Mr Lindsay said.
?The Australian Air Force Cadets squadron in Townsville provides a youth development environment that promotes wellbeing in cadets. The CADETLiFe program reinforces that by teaching optimistic thinking, improving coping skills and promoting mental health issues ? all really important abilities for the youth of Townsville.?
The program is based on a series of workshops that focus on 13 real-life cadet scenarios featured on DVD.
?The scenarios have been developed with the cadet organisations and cadets themselves and are set in a military-like environment involving the types of characters that actually exist in their units or squadrons,? Mr Lindsay said.
Cadets will view the scenarios as part of a group and then discuss the issues raised with a facilitator, who will be trained by an Australian Air Force Cadets nominated and skilled mentor.
The CADETLiFe program was developed by adolescent psychiatrist and youth mental health expert, the University of Queensland?s Professor Graham Martin OAM, in conjunction with the Australian Defence Force Cadets.
Following evaluation, the program will be extended to Australian Defence Force Cadets nationwide in 2008, including the 255 cadets in two Navy and two Army units and one Air Force squadron in Townsville.
The Australian Defence Force Cadets is a youth development organisation where 12 and a half to 20 year olds take part in adventurous, military-like activities, while learning about leadership, team building and themselves.