MEDIA ALERT: Youth wellbeing initiative Blue Minds to visit seven local high schools amid algal bloom crisis
Blue Minds
Somerton Park, South Australia – September 25, 2025: National youth wellbeing initiative Blue Minds is bringing hope and action to the state of South Australia visiting seven high schools to support children with eco anxiety following months of a devastating algal bloom.
Blue Minds, a partnership between Surfers For Climate and The Good Human Factory, has now delivered workshops to more than 10,000 students the past 12 months across the country and are set to reach more than 500 more students this week. Four local councils, Cities of Holdfast Bay, Marion, Mitcham and Onkaparinga are uniting to host the program.
Kal Glanznig, Blue Minds Co-Founder and director of RISING UP said:
“Research from Orygen shows 67% of young Australians are struggling with eco-anxiety — and in South Australia, closed beaches have only heightened that stress. Blue Minds is about giving young people the tools to manage that anxiety and the confidence to channel it into meaningful action for their communities.”
As part of the initiative, the acclaimed documentary RISING UP will also premiere at the opening night of the Nature Festival. The documentary uncovers youth-led solutions of climate change and plastic, highlighting the power of young Australians to turn eco-anxiety and climate distress into positive action.
MEDIA OPPORTUNITY
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Who: Kal Glanznig leading youth ocean and climate champion and Cooper Chapman leading youth mental health speaker and author are available for media interview this week to talk to the Blue Minds program
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Vision: Media may be able to film at select schools on request, media are invited to attend the premier and b-roll available from previous workshops
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When: Kal and Cooper are available for interviews from Wednesday 24th to Friday 26th.
EVENT INFORMATION
Blue Minds will deliver interactive eco-anxiety and action workshops at:
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WED 24th: Cardijn College, Springbank Secondary College
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THU 25th: Wirreanda Secondary School,Hallett Cove R–12, Urrbrae Agricultural High School
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FRI 26th: Seaview High School, Seaton High School
These sessions will give students practical mental health tools and pathways to environmental leadership, showing that hope lies in action.
Premiere Screening of RISING UP
On Thursday 25 September 2025, the documentary RISING UP — directed by youth climate leader Kal Glanznig — will make its South Australian debut at Summertown Studio, Somerton Park, as part of the Nature Festival. The evening will feature:
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RISING UP Film Screening: Doors 5:00pm, Summertown Studio, 13 Paringa Ave, Somerton Park
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A panel of local environmental changemakers
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For questions on attendance, reach out to Kal at [email protected] or +61 478 185 113
Additional information
Kal Glanznig is one of Australia’s leading youth ocean and climate champions and a sought-after speaker, including presenting at TEDx, the United Nations Climate Change COPs, and other major events. Creator of the acclaimed documentary RISING UP, Kal led a $100,000, 100kW solar panel project while in high school, inspiring over 20 schools to follow suit. He co-founded Plastic Free Cronulla in 2019.
Cooper Chapman is a leading youth mental health speaker and author, inspiring over 40,000 students and 10,000 corporate participants to adopt healthier, more fulfilling lifestyles. He travelled the world as a professional surfer for most of his 20's but his passion for mental health advocacy was ignited by personal experiences. Through his popular podcast with nearly 1M downloads, Good Humans, Cooper has conducted extensive interviews with over 150 experts, translating their insights into practical strategies for daily mental health care.
Surfers for Climate is a sea-roots movement of surfers and ocean lovers taking action to protect the places we love. Through campaigns, advocacy and programs like Blue Minds, they connect surf culture with climate solutions — turning passion for the ocean into meaningful action.
Contact:
Kal Glanznig
+61 478 185 113
ENDS