YOUNG people across Ballarat and the western region have their chance to speak local and help push for change on mental health issues nationally that could make a lifetime of difference.
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YMCA Ballarat is hosting its first Stand Up Youth Summit in Delacombe on Friday with the aim to find out what matters most to young people in the region and what community organisations could do better in support.
This is also a chance for the YMCA to better advocate for youth to community organisations and governments.
YMCA Ballarat health promotions officer Georgia Savage said the summit was a chance to help put preventative and proactive mental health strategies in place for young people, which in turn could better support them through life.
Ms Savage said adolescence was a period of big physiological, social and psychological change and, with one in five Australians experiencing mental illness in their life time, this was a chance to make an impact.
"It is critical that we open the lines of discussion with young people during adolescence so that we can help prevent or treat mental illness as it arises," Ms Savage said. "As an organisation we tend to think we know what young people need but we need to make sure we're asking and checking with them."
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More than 100 students, years eight to 11, from almost all schools across the region will take part in the summit.
The event will feature guest speakers and smaller group workshops in a bid to delve deeper into well-being issues. Youth-focused organisations across the region are offering in-kind support, including headspace Ballarat in offering on-site counselling to students.
YMCA Ballarat's community and youth engagement manager Stacey Oliver said community organisations were working together on developing ideas that arise in the summit.
"This could be if young people feel there are mental health issues with youth housing or food security," Ms Oliver said. "We encourage them to move their ideas forward."
Ms Oliver said the YMCA was keen to continuing growing the summit concept for regional youth.
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