Menzies School of Health Research  Centre for Child Development and Education partnered with Northern Territory PHN to produce the resource kit in collaboration with an advisory group of young community-based leaders.

Trakz uses cartoon graphics to tell real-life stories about teasing that happens in community and gives examples of how youths can respond to protect themselves and their friends from the effects of teasing.

NT PHN chief executive Nicki Herriot says Trakz is an important resource not just to increase community awareness, but to raise capacity within communities.

“It will be used to recognise and respond to the wide-ranging effects of teasing and bullying.

To have this resource available in a digital format extends its reach even further and NT PHN looks forward to seeing the positive impact Trakz will have on suicide prevention activities, particularly in remote communities” said Ms Herriot.

Menzies Professor Gary Robinson, Director of the Centre for Child Development and Education says last year the Trakz program was piloted with groups of Aboriginal youths whose evaluation of the Trakz stories were very positive.

“The resource kit is enhanced with our Digital Trakz App which gives Aboriginal youths across the country access to the Trakz stories in an engaging, interactive format.  This resource was developed with Hitnet, a ‘tech for good’ company that brings information and services to the hardest-to-reach people” said Professor Robinson.

Two digital Trakz stories (Priscilla’s story and Tom’s story) are available in animated audio versions via the App Stores (iTunes and Google) under the title of Trakz.

The digital Trakz stories are also available nationally on the Hitnet Community Hubs and via the Hitnet website https://www.hitnet.com.au/kiosk/.

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