Page 222 - Week 01 - Thursday, 11 February 2016
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Participants in the survey have inserted a few quotes, and I will read those. One participant said:
As you get older, new expectations and responsibilities are put on you.
Another said:
At school there is a big focus on getting good grades, more assignments and the time needed to spend on study at home. Sometimes it gets to the point where you worry about whether or not it’s all worth the stress.
Another participant said:
There’s no such thing as school-life balance, there is work-life balance, but not when it comes to school.
Some of those quotes from young people I think are quite telling of the challenges that they face and probably indicate that we as a community are not equipping our young people well enough to handle some of the challenges that later teen life brings. The report also states:
Some of the participants, however, warned that stereotypes of young people, particularly labels like “moody teenager”, can be problematic when it comes to mental health. Stereotypes can make it difficult for young people and those around them to recognise the difference between “normal” highs and lows, and when they might be needing help. They highlighted the need for a better understanding of how to identify and address mental health issues, as well as an increased awareness about ways to promote good mental health and wellbeing.
Youth mental health is also a key priority for Indigenous service providers. I work quite closely and talk regularly with providers such as Gugan Gulwan and the team at Winnungah Nimmityjah. As in most negative statistics about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander closing the gap measures, our Indigenous community often rate all too high on the issue of youth suicide and mental health issues. These organisations are doing great work in our community to address the issues presented to them, but there is no doubt that demands for services and assistance will always outstrip supply.
Again I would like to commend Mrs Jones for her attention to this matter. I look forward to the robust and informative inquiry that is sure to follow.
I will touch on Mr Rattenbury’s remarks. I think it is one of those rare instances where I will agree with him and say that it is a great step that we as an Assembly are actually raising an issue which is often a social taboo. The issue of suicide is seldom talked about for fear that it might spark copycat acts or plant ideas in the minds of people who are in a vulnerable state. The work we do in this Assembly often has an opportunity to make a difference in the community, and this is an issue where much change needs to occur. If the outcome of this inquiry helps prevent one young person from going down the road of taking their own life then the work will be a success, and I look forward to being part of it.
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