On Friday 21 July, the Maribyrnong Youth Advisory Committee (MYAC) delivered the Wellbeing and Self-care Youth Forum. This event was designed and delivered by MYAC in partnership with Maribyrnong Youth Services, as part of Victoria’s Government ENGAGE! Program.
The forum aimed to engage young people across Maribyrnong to access information and voice their experiences and opinions. Approximately 35 secondary school students were in attendance from Years 9, and five teachers from the participating schools: Maribyrnong College, Footscray High and Western English Language School.
MYAC’s decision to facilitate a Youth Forum focused on Mental Health Wellbeing was informed by previous work done by MYAC, including last year’s Youth Forum. One of our MYAC members – Sunny Nguyen, lead a research project as part of his work with the University of Melbourne on the challenges young people faced during the COVID19 pandemic, and any lasting effects the pandemic had on their mental health wellbeing. Over 50 young people in the municipality were interviewed. This was a youth participatory project and in involved large discussions and advisory groups. Mental health, wellbeing and the need for support in self- care management was identified as the key theme as needing to be addressed.
MYAC transformed 4 rooms at the Phoenix Youth Centre into wellbeing and self-care spaces. Each room catered for an interactive activity, and to showcase different ways of practising self-care.
Chill out Space – this space was set in the Bunker which is a soundproof room. Students participated in a 10-minute guided meditation and enjoyed the sounds of the sea.
Affirmation Station – was held in the multi-purpose space where students were asked to take a polaroid picture of themselves or a prop/object and write an affirmation that was best suited to them.
Animal Therapy – was held outside where students could interact with bunny Mocha and dog Murphey.
Therapeutic Art Space – was held in the training room where students all contributed to a large canvas and were asked to illustrate their interpretation of wellbeing.
The second half of the day involved multiple consultations delivered by MYAC member Sunny Nguyen and Dr. Katitza Chavez from the University of Melbourne. The consultation was based around the Commission for Children and Young People’s Empowerment and Participation Guide, where students were asked to share their thoughts on co-creating safe spaces in the municipality. Guest speaker and well-being coach Antonie NG closed the event on a huge high.
These findings are the source to shaping MYAC’s future work and ensuring young people participate in a safe space.