Kiama MP Gareth Ward hosted the inaugural Kiama Youth Mental Health forum with Minister for Mental Health Jai Rowell, student leaders and mental health professionals.

Participants took part in panel discussions with mental health care experts, theatre workshops and other group activities.

Students from Kiama High School, Shoalhaven Anglican School, Nowra Anglican College and Edmund Rice College attended. 

Shoalhaven Anglican School year 12 student Charlie Guerit said he believed while the issue of mental health was more widely recognised many were still apprehensive about it.

“They don’t really want to shout it out to the world,” he said.

“I reckon if there was more openness about it, then it would be less of an issue.”

He felt that instilling the knowledge that it was fine to talk about mental health issues at a younger age was vital.

“Ingraining within them that idea that having issues and being able to speak about them would definitely help them on their way to recovery.

“If think if someone grows up with that kind of ideology they can really progress as an adult.

“When they become older, they’ll be a more well-rounded citizen.”

The effects of bullying, especially online were identified as key issues.

“I think conflict with others is the massive one, but also social media has presented a whole new host of problems which can inflict pain and suffering upon younger people,” Mr Guerit said. 

Kiama High year 10 student Amber Roberts also attended.

“What I really wanted to get out of this day was not just awareness for me, but to be able to show the council, Kiama as a community and the Illawarra, just that we need help,” she said.

“We need more education… It doesn’t need to be forced upon us, but we need just more, because we’re not getting enough.

“People need to learn that it’s not just straight up terms; there’s a spectrum that we need to learn about.” 

Mr Ward said mental health used to be considered a taboo topic.

This initiative came about following on from Mr Ward’s annual Kiama Student Leaders Forum at NSW Parliament House earlier this year.  

The forum, which took place at The Pavilion and received state government funding, featured representatives from organisations such as Headspace Wollongong, Mind Blank and Kiama council.

“Ensuring that we educate young people now and change the culture is really important,” he said. 

Minister Rowell said it was a practical step in promoting the mental wellbeing of the region’s youth.

“We all know that adolescence can be a tough stage of life, so it’s important to let kids know that they are not alone in the struggles they face and there is help readily available,” he said.