Wellbeing forums to support and empower regional youth
The NSW Government is supporting more than 300 high school students from the Riverina and South Coast regions to participate in two wellbeing forums designed to empower young people, build resilience and strengthen mental health awareness within their communities.
To be held in Wagga Wagga and Batemans Bay on Tuesday 3 June, the Connect and Thrive Wellbeing forums will bring together students from multiple high schools to lead conversations about mental health, gain practical wellbeing strategies and connect with local support services.
The NSW Office for Regional Youth, in partnership with headspace Wagga Wagga and Batemans Bay, is delivering the forums, which will be facilitated by Burn Bright – a NSW organisation that specialises in youth leadership and wellbeing programs.
The forums are a direct response to feedback from the 2024 Your Voice, Our Future consultation and NSW Youth Summit, where young people highlighted mental health as a critical issue for them and called for more meaningful face-to-face engagement in their own communities.
Following a proven, evidence-based model, the Wagga Wagga forum, hosted by Wagga Wagga Christian College is expected to welcome more than 200 students, while the Batemans Bay forum, hosted by Narooma High School, will see 100 students take part.
Students will participate in interactive sessions and youth-led discussions to help them better understand their own mental health, recognise support options and reduce stigmas within their schools and communities.
A key feature of each forum is a panel of local service providers, giving young people the chance to connect directly with those who support mental health in their area.
NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development’s Director for Regional Youth, Julia Ryan said the forums were a valuable opportunity to connect with young people and support them to build skills, confidence and awareness around mental health.
“We know that young people in regional areas face unique challenges and these forums are designed to meet them where they are – in their schools, in their communities and on their own terms.
“We’re pleased to be working alongside local schools and communities to create supportive environments where young people can learn, feel heard and influence meaningful change.”
Each event has been developed by a local steering committee, bringing together education providers, community services, local councils and government agencies to deliver a whole-of-community approach to youth mental health.
Director of headspace operations Wagga Wagga, Batemans Bay, Moruya and Narooma, Shane Thomas said headspace Wagga Wagga, Batemans Bay and Narooma was proud to play a leading role in organising the Connect and Thrive Wellbeing forums, by coordinating local steering committees and ensuring strong youth involvement through the planning process.
“It is essential that young people are actively involved in shaping and leading conversations around mental health and wellbeing because they bring lived experience, unique insights and creative solutions that directly reflect the needs of their peers.
“At our centres, the most common reasons young people seek support are symptoms of anxiety and depression, but beyond mental health, regional young people face limited employment and education opportunities, transport barriers, stigma around seeking help, along with the ongoing impact of natural disasters.
“These intersecting issues highlight the importance of accessible, youth-friendly services that address both individual and community-level factors affecting mental health.
“We’d like to see young people leave these forums feeling confident, inspired and empowered to implement their own wellbeing projects in their school communities.”
These events form part of the NSW Government’s commitment to ensuring young people in regional NSW have the tools, support and opportunities they need to thrive.
The feedback gathered from participants will provide valuable insight into youth wellbeing in regional NSW, helping to strengthen and tailor future support.