The majority of attendees were beginners who had rarely hit the pavement before, with members from Totem teaching the children the basics of balance and speed control during the event.

Totem general manager and former Griffith local Chris Vaughan said there was a strong turnout from beginners looking to learn how to skate and the event was important to help get people involved in raising mental health awareness.

"We had a fully booked first session," Mr Vaughan said.

"I think it's really important to get everyone involved around mental health... skateboarding is something that stimulates the brain and gets kids active."

The event was part of a series of events Griffith City Council have organised as part of Mental Health Month and councillor Dino Zappacosta said the event helped to create a positive imprint on the mental health of youths.

"It is well known that physical activities, getting connected with your community and learning a new skill can have positive effects on mental health," Cr Zappacosta said.

"Mental health awareness events such as this can decrease stigma, and empower people to seek help, for themselves or others."

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However, there was not just skating lessons for the children, with members from the Child and Adolescent Community Mental Health service and headspace Griffith on hand to help raise awareness of mental health issues common among youths.

Community engagement officer for headspace Griffith Cassandra Campbell-Smith said it is important to talk informally through events to help younger people come out of their shell.

"You need to take out the clinical side," Miss Campbell-Smith said.

"You need to keep it relatable and personal and approachable so that they feel comfortable stepping out of their comfort zones so they can open up because it's a hard thing to do for anyone."

Also in attendance was the Personnel Group, who operated a free barbeque for the event to help drum up awareness of their Transition to Work program.

Employment consultant Sonya Catanzariti said the program aims to encourage youth who have not completed their Year 12 studies move into employment and re-engage with education.

"It's to ensure they don't slip through the cracks," Ms Catanzariti said.

"As soon as they are out of school or dis-engage from school, they have somewhere to go and can get straight back on track."

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