The Batyr Program

What is the Batyr Program?

Batyr is a for purpose preventative mental health organisation, created and driven by young people, for young people. It was launched in 2011, after founder Sebastian Robertson experienced the frustration and isolation of living silently with mental ill-health whilst at university. 

Sebastian recognised that it was time to have open honest conversations about mental health with young people, and founded the organisation, naming it after batyr (‘hero’), The Talking Elephant From Kazakhstan.

This week Year 9 & 10 students participated in a Batyr workshop called 'Look Out For Your Mates’ which identifies the signs and symptoms students can look out for to recognise if a friend might be struggling with their mental health, and equips them with the skills to start a safe conversation.

The Batyr presentation was an eye opening experience into mental health and the challenges someone can face by not speaking up. It has encouraged all of us to let someone know if something is wrong and check in on our friends if we feel like something is off. We thoroughly enjoyed the presentation and are so grateful to Batyr for taking time out of their days to come and talk to us.

Elijana Henry

Year 10 Captain

As a whole the Batyr Program was an engaging and interesting topic to delve deep into to explore different challenges and solutions in mental health and speaking up when you see your friends or family having problems. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed it and learnt something new and I hope other schools get to enjoy such an educational program like we did!

Nathan Bromfield

Year 10 Captain

David Black

Leader of Senior School