Youth Insearch welcomes Report by NSW Office of the Advocate for Children and Young People | Page 7 | Youth Insearch

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Fri, 17/07/2020 - 00:00

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Youth Insearch welcomes report about young people’s experience of disaster. Youth intervention charity Youth Insearch welcomes the release of a report by the NSW Office of the Advocate for Children and Young People detailing insights from young people who have experienced natural disasters.

Youth Insearch connected the Advocate for Children and Young People (ACYP) with participants of its program whose lives were affected by the ongoing drought, unprecedented bushfire season, and floods.

Youth Insearch CEO Stephen Lewin hopes the report will inform decision makers and service providers on how to best support young people who are facing great difficulty.

Mr Lewin says natural disasters can leave a long lasting imprint on the mental health of young people.

“Young people living in regional areas already face greater disadvantages when compared to their metropolitan counterparts,” Mr Lewin said.

“There are fewer services available for young people in regional areas and this report helps to identify the gaps so that we can all support young people through natural disasters.

“Often there is a focus on rebuilding infrastructure and economies in the aftermath of natural disasters and at times the needs and concerns of young people are forgotten.

“I commend Acting Advocate Zoe Robinson for considering and listening to young people’s experiences of these devastating events.

“I am proud of the Youth Insearch participants who generously shared their time and stories and helped to come up with recommendations that will shape their futures and those of their peers.”

Youth Insearch participant Siana says the slew of natural disasters she has experienced has taken a toll on her mental health.

“The drought killed off much of our livestock and our property narrowly escaped the summer bushfires,” Siana said.

“With one thing after another I was feeling stressed out and overwhelmed but luckily, I received support from Youth Insearch.

“I could share my story with people who were my own age and were going through the same things,” Siana said.

“Youth Insearch made me feel less alone.”

The ACYP’s report included recommendations to government, the community and businesses to help rebuild communities affected by natural disasters. Two recommendations mention Youth Insearch.

The ACYP’s report included recommendations to government, the community and businesses to help rebuild communities affected by natural disasters. Two recommendations mention Youth Insearch.

  1. Mental health and youth services offer peer to peer support programs to enable young people to support each other during and after disaster events (for example, Youth Insearch); and
  2. Support for Youth Insearch programs in schools that encourage Peer to Peer support and training for children and young people.

Read the ACYP Disaster Report.

-ENDS-

 

About Youth Insearch
Youth Insearch is the only Australian organisation dedicated to helping young people face trauma through peer group support, where young people help one another. Youth Insearch’s purpose is to empower young people to take control of their lives by giving them the opportunity and skills to develop their self-esteem and play a positive role in society.


Media contact

Stav Pisk
Wells Haslam Mayhew