AICAFMHA:
promoting mental health for young Australians
Australian Infant, Child, Adolescent and Family Mental Health Association Ltd
ABN 87 093 479 022
NYPS Project Update - 18/02/2005
The online survey is up and running!
UPDATE
Yesterday, you should have received an email telling you about the online
survey.
We encourage you to forward it to your networks that might be interested in giving comment. Just a reminder...here is the information again.
****************************************************Subject: National Youth Participation Strategy, It's now time to have your say!
AICAFMHA has talked to over 100+ young people, adults and organizations across Australia, we have reviewed the literature and developed draft models with a group of young people showing how youth can have a 'voice' in the development and implementation of programs under the National Mental Health Plan and National Suicide Prevention Strategy.
Now, it is time to have your SAY, about the draft models as they are up for public consultation. An online survey for youth and adults is available at: www.aicafmha.net.au/youth_participation/consult/index.html or go to www.aicafmha.net.au and click on youth.
AICAFMHA also has marketing material, (posters, invites, post cards) and a group package is available. Please contact Dy if you would like to find out more, contact details below.
As the young people have said throughout the journey.... there is no right or wrong answers we really do want to hear the good, the bad and the UGLY!
Look forward to hearing from you soon!
Thank you so very much for your ongoing support.
Dyanna Smith-McCue
National Youth Participation Strategy Project Officer
AICAFMHA
smith.dy@saugov.sa.gov.au
Ph: (08) 8161 7338
A detailed document outlining the draft models document will also be available online very soon as we are currently integrating feedback from the reference group to ensure it reflects the beliefs and ideas reflected by the members.
The Journey so far...
With lots of new members joining the National Youth Participation Strategy
emailing list I thought it would be good to review where we have come from to
get to this point.
Starting in September we connected with a number of workers who have worked in this field and invited them to be part of the reference group. We also linked in with government and non-government youth peak bodies in all states/territories and encouraged them to be involved in the National Consultation Group. Currently we have representation in all states/territories.
AICAFMHA then developed a database to collect information and experiences from young people and workers out there in the community about how they have worked in partnership. Information was collected through an online form, phone discussions and face-to-face group forums with youth and workers. Throughout the journey a literature search was also conducted to ensure ideas and themes reflected by the research was also taken into consideration.
During the Christmas break, Dy and a group of dedicated young people whom we
have to acknowledge (see below) pulled the ideas together from the consultations
and literature into draft models. These models were then reviewed by the
reference group and are now available for comment through the online survey.
Bernard Justin Ali Bec Michael P Michael G Jess Shane Alecia
Skills Development
During the consultations, the following skills and learning outcomes were
identified as areas, which may need to be focused on for youth/adults to work
together on the National Youth Participation Strategy.
Presenting and Public Speaking
Knowing your audience
Different mediums of communicating information
Confidence and self-awareness
Peer Support and Leadership Skills
Balancing tasks and relationship building
Qualities of a positive leader and friendship
Changing nature of role
Media
Awareness of organization goals and objectives
Privacy agreements - release of information
Engaging media involvement and setting parameters
Advocacy
Reflection on beliefs and philosophies
Individual motivators
Researching information
Researching
Youth as researchers
Confidentiality/Duty of care
Keeping yourself safe
Support mechanism and networks
Setting personal boundaries
Accountability Mechanisms
Organization structures
Documentation processes
Roles and responsibilities of positions
Partnership Practices
Project development
Allocation of roles and responsibilities
Knowledge of shared and joint practices
Information Technology
Mediums to present information
Website design
Online forums
Chat rooms
Establishing secured sites
Conference call/Teleconference facilities
Communication Skills, which include -
Problem-solving skills, Conflict resolution skills, Decision making, skills,
Active listening, "really listening and understanding",
Interpersonal skills
Youth friendly resource development
Different mediums of communicating
Awareness of group dynamics
Establishing positive relationships,
(Passive, aggressive assertive)
Role of emotions and feelings
Impact of cause and effects when communicating
There are numerous skills development resources, which have already been developed throughout the community. Therefore instead of 'reinventing' the wheel these would be accessed/purchased as required. (Gale 1999; Amigos 2000; Office of Employment and Youth 2000; Gardner 2001; Barkman 2002; NSW Commission for Children and Young people 2002; Kids Help Line 2003; Office for Youth 2003; Office for Youth 2004; SWS Carer Respite Centre 2004; Youth Affairs Council of Victoria 2004; Youth Affairs Council of Victoria 2004; Youth Affairs Council of Victoria 2004)
REFERENCES
Amigos (2000). The Amigos Project Peer Training Manual.
Barkman, S., Machtmes, K., Myers, H., (2002). Four-Fold Youth Development. A
research Based Model Linking Program Development, Purdue University.
Gale, K., Hills, SL., Moulds, D., Stacey, K., (1999). "Breaking ground in
inclusive conference practices with young people." The International Journal
of Children's Rights 7: 259-275.
Gardner, J. W. (2001). "Youth Engaged in Leadership and Learning, (YELL)."
Center for Youth and Their Communities at Stanford University.
Kids Help Line (2003). Kids Help Line Peer Skills Program Information Kit.
NSW Commission for Children and Young people (2002). Participation: Meeting
together-deciding together - Kids participating in case-planning decisions that
affect their lives.
Office for Youth (2003). Youth Participation Handbook, Minister for Youth.
Office for Youth, V. (2004). "Consulting with young people about their ideas
and opinions." www.youth.vic.gov.au/participation/participation.
Office of Employment and Youth, S. A. (2000). Youth Participation Handbook:
A guide for Organizations seeking to involve young people on boards and
Committees. Adelaide.
SWS Carer Respite Centre, C. N. (2004). "Gaining ground - Getaway camp -
survivor."
Youth Affairs Council of Victoria (2004). "Consulting Young People about
their Ideas and Options, A Handbook for Organizations working with young
people." Office for Youth.
Youth Affairs Council of Victoria (2004). "Taking Youth People Seriously,
Creating Change in Youth Community, A Handbook for Young People." Office for
Youth.
Youth Affairs Council of Victoria (2004). "Young People on Boards and
Committees, A handbook for organizations working with young people." Office
for Youth.
Dyanna Smith-McCue
National Youth Participation Strategy Project Officer
smith.dy@saugov.sa.gov.au
Ph: (08) 8161 7338
Fax: (08) 8161 6983
PO Box 387, Stepney SA 5069
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