What it is all about!

What is in it for young people?

Meet other young people passionate about youth mental health and well-being
Receive training in mental health, alcohol and other drugs, media and relating to your specific interest area
Develop a range of skills including working in groups, and representing the needs of your peers
Make real changes to how services are delivered in the community

What is in it for us?

We hear from young people about our what is happening for real in the community
We deliver services that younger people want and will access
We work together with young people to make a real difference

Qualities we hope to see in Individuals and in the Group

Individuals

We would like to have young people who:

Are aged between 12 and 25 years
Have an interest, passion and something to say about health, mental health and/or alcohol and other drug issues for young people
Can think about the big picture
Will work in a team and participate in group discussions as well as working independently
Will be motivated, and show a willingness and commitment to participate on an ongoing basis
Possess good communication skills
Can balance health (including mental health), other responsibilities like school/work/uni/family and the demands of the Youth Reference Group position
Have easy and regular access to the internet and phone

The Group

We would like to have a group that consists of

Members aged between 12 and 25 years
Representation from across the region
A mix of ages and gender
Representation from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander backgrounds
Representation from different cultural and language backgrounds
A broad range of life experience, including same sex attracted young people, experience of homelessness and history of mental health and mental illness

For more information: contact Simon Goddard on 46611999 or simon.goddard@rhealth.com.au

Responsibilities

The bottom line:

Participate in fortnightly meetings
Be prepared to undertake some training at about headspace, mental health, mental illness, talking to the media and other associated topics
Be open and willing to participate in teleconferences, email and Facebook discussions
Support local headspace activities
Complete a wellness plan and actively look after all aspects of your health

The extras (that might come with additional training):

Become community advocates for youth mental health which will: raise awareness of youth mental health, encourage young people to seek help early and to educate the broader community about youth mental health.
Be involved in community education activities, or as media spokespeople on the issue of youth mental health and well-being.
Speak at public functions or at local schools, mental health forums, conferences and the like.

Time Commitment

In between face to face meetings and events, contact will be maintained through email, Facebook and teleconferences. It is expected that there will be at least fortnightly contact with the group.

Focus groups around specific topics will be held throughout the year and it is expected that the members will be involved in (at least) two of these a year. These groups may occur through teleconference, face to face, or through email surveys and web based discussion.

Training

Training will be given in the following areas:

What is headspace
Mental health
Talking to the media
Speaking in public
Other as related to interested area

Remuneration

Out of pocket expenses, approved by headspace Warwick, that are incurred at community events will be reimbursed.

Transport

If a YRG member requires assistance with transport to and from meetings and events, this will be negotiated between the YRG member and headspace Warwick.

Other

Parental (or Guardian) consent will be needed for young people under 18 years of age

A specific staff member from headspace Warwick will be at all meetings of the YRG

For more information: contact Simon Goddard on 46611999 or simon.goddard@rhealth.com.au