Youth Health Councils launched
Youthline is being “inundated” with interest in its Youth Health Councils since they began rolling out in Auckland this year says Hannah Sellars, Youthline’s Manukau Manager.
22/6/11
There are now 19 schools running the councils, which encourage and support young people working to make their schools safer and healthier environments.
“The councils identify youth concerns and voice their views for change,” says Hannah. “That could be something as simple as the need for sunshades in summer. But they also learn about fundraising and advocacy, become more confident and learn who to approach for help.”
The councils also deal with big issues such as drug and alcohol use, smoking, sexuality, emotional wellbeing, fitness, nutrition, peer pressure and stress – all the problems facing young people today.
“One of the key results of the programme is that they not only begin to think about health issues, but also about health career pathways and options such as counselling and first aid training,” she says.
Supported by ASB Community Trust’s Youth Health and Development fund, the youth health councils create a strong focus on youth health, advising policy makers and representing youth opinions and needs. They give young people the opportunity to become actively involved and to have their voices heard.
“It’s putting the theory into practice,” says Youthline CEO Stephen Bell, “engaging young people and getting them involved in peer education. I’m confident we will be helping develop the next generation of youth health workers and youth-specialist nurses and doctors.”
Support from Youthline will include a toolkit of specialist resources for each of the councils.
“Youth Health Councils are able to develop and carry out initiatives that are meaningful for their school’s students,” says Hannah. “Our toolkits empower the groups to lead and deliver programmes, and exposing them to the difference they can make will inspire them to enter into the youth health sector as a career.”