Darwin High School will today host its inaugural Health and Lifestyle Expo.

The expo will promote the benefits of leading a healthy lifestyle and raise awareness of key issues that can impact young people in the Territory.

Darwin High School principal Trevor Read said support for mental health and wellbeing for young people is a key focus for the school and its students.

“The physical and mental health of our students has a huge impact on their academic achievement, particularly as they enter into their final years of schooling,” Mr Read said.

“The expo will allow our students to learn more about the health and lifestyle organisations that are available in Darwin and how they can access these.

“We hope that the expo will encourage students to proactively access support services available to them should they require support.”

Students will have the opportunity to speak with experts in the health and wellbeing industry as well as participate in activities including blood pressure testing, viewing materials under microscopes and operating smokelysers.

Over 45 organisations will volunteer their time to speak with students in a supportive and encouraging environment, providing them with knowledge of local health and wellbeing services that they can access in the community.

“These organisations see the value in connecting with young people in a proactive way,” Mr Read said.

“The partnerships we build with external organisations through the expo and other engagement activities allow us to better broker services for our young people and provide them with as much support as possible during their final years of schooling.”

A full list of participating organisations is attached.

Darwin High School received a grant of $2000 from the Northern Territory Government’s Office of Youth Affairs to assist in hosting the event.

Media contact: Hollie Young – 0409 923 604