Schoolies is an exciting time and a rite of passage for young people. It marks the end of the high school journey and the beginning of emerging adulthood. Tens of thousands of students have flocked to locations all over Victoria, with rural and regional students particularly visiting the coastal areas of Lorne, Rye, Torquay and Phillip Island. Unfortunately, it is also an infamous time where the risk of alcohol and drug-related harms increases significantly for school leavers. In response, the Victorian Government has created the "Good Times, Great Breaks" website, to ensure young people, parents and schools can be informed on what they need to do. Alex Flavel, Victorian Schoolies Coordinator for Red Frogs, says that "there are better decisions being made around alcohol". "Some are choosing not to drink, or only drinking in moderation. In contrast, however, we have seen increasing drug use in recent years." Red Frogs are a group of volunteers of young people who provide a positive, safe and peer-led support to school leavers during their celebrations. This year there are 200 young people volunteering in Victoria. Volunteers are trained in responding to a variety of situations on the front-line as a group, while their team leaders are trained across responding to alcohol and other drug incidents, mental health and sexual assault and harassment. Katherine Ellis, CEO of Youth Affairs Council Victoria, says "peer support by young people can play a crucial role in ensuring school leavers stay safe while also having a good time and a great break." "When young people see others like themselves looking out for each other, it demonstrates that young people can celebrate their achievements, and at the same time be part of creating an environment of safety. "I would also like to acknowledge the youth workers and support services who play an important role in ensuring that, if things do go wrong, the consequences are limited by providing a timely and appropriate response." In Victoria, local councils have partnered with support services to ensure timely help is provided when needed. Volunteers on the ground will often make referrals around sexual assault, mental health and drug use, where professional help is required. "Five years ago, I ended up in a situation where a young school leaver who had taken drugs was in a vulnerable state and was being aggressive," says Alex. "He had taken two pills, he wasn't sure what pills they were, but he had become emotional when remembering that a good mate of his passed away during schoolies the year before. "I called a paramedic, and after I heard his story, I realised this was someone who had come to celebrate and have a good time but ended up in a situation alone and at risk of self-harm. "Luckily, help was around the corner, and he was able to get the support he needed. If Red Frogs hadn't supported this young man, I wonder what would have happened." More calls than ever are being made about mental health and self-harm. With increasing awareness and less stigma around these issues, young people are more willing to make calls to emergency services or to ask others for help. For the most part, the behaviours of young people are improving. According to Alex, the Red Frogs hotline during schoolies receives the most calls for transport and breakfast pancakes during the two weeks. "There are more education programs than ever, and the majority of kids are going for the right reasons and are making good decisions. It is just a small minority that are making decisions that have a negative impact on themselves and others around them." Education programs are now focusing on reducing the harm from drug use. The Alcohol and Drug Foundation have recommended parents and school leavers understand what the risks and consequences may be from taking drugs. This also includes synthetic drugs. There is no safe level of drug use, but if you or your friends have decided to take them, then start small, take it easy, stick with your friends and avoid caffeine and the mixing of other drugs, including alcohol and drink water. "Look out for your mates, and when things do go wrong, don't be afraid to ask for help," says Alex. "Even if you're not sure what to do, ask for help, and we'll help you get the support needed." Completing high school is an achievement that everybody should be proud of. Look out for each other, be safe, celebrate a good time, and have a great break.
This year there are 200 young people volunteering in Victoria.
MILESTONE: Schoolies is an exciting time and a rite of passage for young people, marking the end of the high school journey.
Schoolies is an exciting time and a rite of passage for young people. It marks the end of the high school journey and the beginning of emerging adulthood.
Tens of thousands of students have flocked to locations all over Victoria, with rural and regional students particularly visiting the coastal areas of Lorne, Rye, Torquay and Phillip Island.
Unfortunately, it is also an infamous time where the risk of alcohol and drug-related harms increases significantly for school leavers.
In response, the Victorian Government has created the "Good Times, Great Breaks" website, to ensure young people, parents and schools can be informed on what they need to do.
Alex Flavel, Victorian Schoolies Coordinator for Red Frogs, says that "there are better decisions being made around alcohol".
"Some are choosing not to drink, or only drinking in moderation. In contrast, however, we have seen increasing drug use in recent years."
Red Frogs are a group of volunteers of young people who provide a positive, safe and peer-led support to school leavers during their celebrations. This year there are 200 young people volunteering in Victoria.
Volunteers are trained in responding to a variety of situations on the front-line as a group, while their team leaders are trained across responding to alcohol and other drug incidents, mental health and sexual assault and harassment.
Katherine Ellis, CEO of Youth Affairs Council Victoria, says "peer support by young people can play a crucial role in ensuring school leavers stay safe while also having a good time and a great break."
"When young people see others like themselves looking out for each other, it demonstrates that young people can celebrate their achievements, and at the same time be part of creating an environment of safety.
"I would also like to acknowledge the youth workers and support services who play an important role in ensuring that, if things do go wrong, the consequences are limited by providing a timely and appropriate response."
In Victoria, local councils have partnered with support services to ensure timely help is provided when needed. Volunteers on the ground will often make referrals around sexual assault, mental health and drug use, where professional help is required.
"Five years ago, I ended up in a situation where a young school leaver who had taken drugs was in a vulnerable state and was being aggressive," says Alex.
"He had taken two pills, he wasn't sure what pills they were, but he had become emotional when remembering that a good mate of his passed away during schoolies the year before.
"I called a paramedic, and after I heard his story, I realised this was someone who had come to celebrate and have a good time but ended up in a situation alone and at risk of self-harm.
"Luckily, help was around the corner, and he was able to get the support he needed. If Red Frogs hadn't supported this young man, I wonder what would have happened."
More calls than ever are being made about mental health and self-harm. With increasing awareness and less stigma around these issues, young people are more willing to make calls to emergency services or to ask others for help. For the most part, the behaviours of young people are improving.
According to Alex, the Red Frogs hotline during schoolies receives the most calls for transport and breakfast pancakes during the two weeks.
"There are more education programs than ever, and the majority of kids are going for the right reasons and are making good decisions. It is just a small minority that are making decisions that have a negative impact on themselves and others around them."
Education programs are now focusing on reducing the harm from drug use. The Alcohol and Drug Foundation have recommended parents and school leavers understand what the risks and consequences may be from taking drugs. This also includes synthetic drugs.
There is no safe level of drug use, but if you or your friends have decided to take them, then start small, take it easy, stick with your friends and avoid caffeine and the mixing of other drugs, including alcohol and drink water.
"Look out for your mates, and when things do go wrong, don't be afraid to ask for help," says Alex.
"Even if you're not sure what to do, ask for help, and we'll help you get the support needed."
Completing high school is an achievement that everybody should be proud of. Look out for each other, be safe, celebrate a good time, and have a great break.
Derm Ryan is Youth Affairs Council Victoria's Rural Manager. YACVic is the peak body and leading policy advocate in Victoria.
