The young people of the community have always been the pride and future of Cranbourne. The community’s high regard for education and training, discipline and innovation shows through in not only the accolades that the students gain in formal education, but in their growing interest and commitment to parts of their community that they care about.
This is exemplified in Pauline Richards MP for Cranbourne’s Youth Advisory Committee, and the important contributions that this group of young people will make toward a submission regarding youth mental health to the Victorian Parliament. This is a diverse group in terms of occupation, language, culture and political opinion.
The June meeting explored how access and support for mental wellbeing can be improved. This meeting was an exercise in critical thinking, research and empathy that closely resembles the kind of early discussions characteristic of any submission to Victorian Parliament. This is a testament to the wisdom and experience that young people have by being entrenched in their schools and communities, and this forum ensures that this insight is not wasted.
With guidance from retired mental health nurse Filipino-Australian Alvin Reyes, this is a forum that is led by young people, for young people. Bringing pride to Cranbourne, they can learn more about how the committee can add their voice to the Victorian community broadly and to the State Parliament.
The Committee’s organisers are grateful for the youth representation, aged between 16 to 27: Lilly, Ellen, Jorja, Deliza, Mark, Harman, Jaismeen, Prathana, Elijah, Özlem, Benni, Joseph and Amogha.
The group will meet on 28 July and will discuss psychological safety, mental health, where they will also learn how to submit a parliamentary submission.
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