'heads together' Youth Reference Group

The group comprises of 8 members, aged 18-25 years, who meet on a monthly basis.

The purpose of the group is to:

• involve young people in the development and running of headspace CS
• provide a forum for young people to voice their concerns, needs, interests and ideas
• provide an avenue for young people to be a part of the planning and implementing phases of headspace community awareness activities
• allow young people to have input into the decision making process of headspace CS
• provide information and advice to headspace CS on behalf of young people

'heads together' have been involved in:

• marketing & promotion, with the development of a headpace CS brochure
• site development
• staffing & recruitment processes across the three headspace CS sites
• Ongoing Community Awareness activities

Group members act as community advocates for youth mental health issues at various events and within the media.

'heads together' is currently planning for upcoming events in Youth Week and Mental Health Week.

Why are you a YRG member?

Kaytlin
I wanted to be part of the reference group so that I could have my say about some of the issues that affect young people, especially self-injury. In this area there are very few "youth friendly" services and most of those don't or can't cater for young people with mental health issues. I wanted to be part of a service that does cater for these young people; and ensure that it is a useful local resource.

Rachel
To make a difference. To see smiles on more young people's faces. To help where I can. To generate awareness about mental health issues. To increase access to youth focussed treatment for mental health. To promote help seeking behaviour. To empower people to take the step towards "sorting stuff out". To stop suffering. To break social stigma associated with mental health issues. To share what I have learnt. To offer a youth perspective. To be part of a group that is driven by the same cause. To show people that you can overcome mental health problems. To develop new skills.
Young individuals suffering from mental health conditions need to know 'there is another way out' rather than taking their own life or living a life of pain and isolation. I wanted to be part of the puzzle to spread this message. Headspace is such a valuable initiative and it is my pleasure to be part of the headspace journey.

Josh
I am in the youth reference group because I thought it would be a good idea because it gives me a voice for the young people and I feel as though I have a lot to offer because I have been in drug and alcohol addiction and have been clean and sober now for the past two years and also i would like to help others who have been in the same or similar situations that i have been in previously.

Pauline
I am part of headspace YRG to help better the services in the Central Sydney Area, but most of all to advocate to young people that it's ok to seek help and that you're not alone. When I was in my teens i was very troubled... ): I did things i wasn't proud of. But then i found Youth Block (which was Cell Block in my time) and met an *awesome, awesome counsellor* whom I still keep in touch with today, and I was saved in many, many ways. Seeing a counsellor didn't seem to be the cool thing @ school, yet it was the coolest decision I made. I now have control in my life and being the best i can be is my biggest thanks to all the *Gorgeous People* who have helped me along the way. (: