Before joining Youth Insearch, Chris* spent most days inside his room, skipping school and playing video games.
"I was also struggling with my social skills as I didn’t have many or any friends and I acted tough on the outside pretending it didn’t affect me but, on the inside, it slowly tore me open as well as my unresolved trauma from when I was younger."
When his parents suggested he attend a Youth Insearch program, Chris was hesitant. “I didn’t actually want to join the program I was told I had to because I wasn’t going anywhere or doing anything."
From Dalby QLD, Chris relied on old coping mechanisms to navigate his first Weekend Workshop at Duckadang in 2023. “My first Youth Insearch program I felt really alone and distanced. I tried to hide by sleeping during the breaks and not socialising and I wore my hoodie to cover my body..."
But over the course of the weekend, Chris started to feel more connected to other participants and leaders, “I was hoping if I acted up enough I’d be kicked out but rather than anger or frustration I was met with kindness.
When a leader shared that they too had struggled at their first workshop, this gave Chris the confidence to trust in the program and the Peer Leaders. “I decided to trust them and to try it once more. What did I have to lose?”
Looking back, Chris can see how differently he viewed the world. Before I started Youth Insearch my whole mentality was so very different… I remember answering any sort of danger with hostility and most of all I remember feeling like I couldn’t show any emotions…”
Having now been involved with Youth Insearch for over two years, Chris has learned to understand others, and approach conflict more calmly. “I try not to judge a book by its cover maybe that person is struggling too and just needs a hand… but most of all I’m happy with myself, I kind of like who I am and how much I have changed.”
Today, Chris is proudly completing our Leadership Training. He has also been employed by Youth Insearch as a Workshop Facilitator for Regional Reset, working with young people aged 8–17 years and their families.
Looking ahead, Chris is looking to access professional development opportunities through our partner organisations. “I’d also like to go the Larita academy later this year to try and develop my social skills and networking skills in more depth.”
*This story is shared in the young person’s own words to preserve authenticity, including original grammar & language. Names, images, and identifying details have been changed to protect the privacy of the young people featured.
