Meet the Youth Advisory Committee

The headspace Penrith Youth Advisory Committee (YAC) is made up of a diverse group of passionate young people who want to make a difference in the work we do at headspace. The services provided by headspace Penrith would not be the same without the valuable input of our inspiring YAC members. 

We would love you to meet the vibrant and amazing young people that make up our Youth Advisory Committee.

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Aaron            Aisha            Domina            Georgie            Jayden            Micah            Prasuna

 (As of 10 May 2016)

                 Aisha

 

Why did you want to become a YAC member?

I joined the YAC because I wanted to get involved and make a difference in the lives of young people in the community. I heard about headspace through uni and admired the work they do and so thought it was the perfect platform to advocate for youth mental health. I am driven by my own experience with mental illness and find the YAC to be the quintessential means for me to help young people reach their full potential. 

 

What issues are you passionate about?

I'm most passionate about reducing stigma around help seeking and mental health. I think this is a major barrier that needs to be overcome and I am passionate about making a change. 

 

How do you look after your own headspace?

I look after my own headspace by making sure I take time out to do the things that I enjoy and see the people that mean most to me. I'll usually be at the beach, going on an adventure to somewhere new or  playing music with friends. I think it's important to spend time people and do things that matter to you in order to look after your own headspace. 

 

If you could have one super power what would it be and why?

If I could have any super power I would have to choose flying because it would be almost like skydiving only it would be free and you could fly when whenever you want and to wherever you wanted. I think it would be a remarkable way to view the world.

 

 

                 Domina

 

Why did you want to become a YAC member?

I wanted to become a YAC member, to be directly involved in the community awareness of youth mental health. To also be able to have a voice and hopefully make our campaigns and events revolve directly with what young people need.

 

What issues are you passionate about?

I’m personally passionate about issues, revolving around Depression, Anxiety, Sexuality and Gender and making these issue no longer taboo, and annihilating the stigma around these issues. To also make sure, young people know that Headspace can specifically help surrounding these issues, and they are not alone. 

 

How do you look after your own headspace?

I enjoy making art, and music. Or for a scenery change the occasional bush walk.

 

If you could have one super power what would it be and why?

Probably time travel, so I can get all my stuff done in a day, and also just go back to the 70’s so I can have a boogie when I want to. 

 

                 Georgie

 

Why did you want to become a member?

Being unsure of what I wanted to purse after high school I decided to volunteered at headspace Penrith during mental health month. I found a passion in helping others and looking at what our community needs, so I applied to become a YAC member.

 

What issues are you passionate about ?

I am passionate about ensuring youth in the community are not only aware of looking after there physical health but also how important it is to look after there mental health. In particular, I feel that high school can develop a lot of stress and anxiety that can be overwhelming when you don’t know where to seek help.

 

How do you look after your own headspace?

To look after my own headspace, I like to get out of the house and socialise with some of my friends. Other times it maybe as simple as putting on some chilled music, applying a facial mask and painting my nails.

 

If you had any super power what would it be and why?

My super power would be that any fridge I opened would automatically have unlimited food of what ever I felt like at the time.

 

                 Jayden

 

Why did you want to become a YAC member?

I saw being a YAC member as an opportunity to meet and communicate with many awesome people, to learn about them and about myself, and to contribute what I can to the field of youth mental health care.

 

What issues are you passionate about?

I am passionate about reducing the stigma associated with mental health care and raising awareness about the importance of early intervention when dealing with mental health concerns.

 

How do you look after your own headspace?

I make time to keep in touch with friends especially when I’m a little stressed out, and losing myself in a video game or good book also helps to settle the mind down. Travelling and getting lost in a new place also helps to keep my headspace clear.

 

If you could have one super power what would it be and why?

Teleportation so that distance is never a barrier. Or time control so I can pause things and take a nap or soak in a moment. Or the power to commit to decisions about what super power I would have. Not sure about the last one.

 

 

                 Micah

 

Why did you want to become a YAC member?

I wanted to become a YAC member because of how headspace helped me, and how I saw headspace help other young people around me. I’ve grown up always wanting to help other people and saw that headspace was the perfect way to incorporate a love for helping others with working in a great team that has the same views as I do (and they continually shape me to be a better person, too). Helping out with the community is always such a big bonus as well, because you meet so many great people that help shape your experiences, and you learn so much.

 

What issues are you passionate about?

I’m passionate about so, so many different things, but most importantly closing the gap between having a mental health issue and speaking about it due to the stigma that a particular community may have. I believe that every single person has a right to proper mental health care, regardless of what kind of community they are from, and that utilising proper education can be the key to reducing this stigma that surrounds mental illness. This education can only lead to great things for people suffering from a mental illness + carers, and we’ll then be able to see in a much clearer light the potential that all young people who suffer from mental illness do possess.

 

How do you look after your own headspace?

Definitely just little self care things such as making small to-do lists, re-organising my room and putting on FRIENDS + a large mug of tea. I also love making candles!

 

If you could have one super power what would it be and why?

Either to teleport or to jump through time. Teleporting because I really miss my family back in the Philippines, and because I want to go exploring and adventuring without worrying about cost. Jumping through time because I want to see Queen and Whitney Houston live so badly!!! 

 

 

                 Prasuna

 

Why did you want to become a YAC member?

Being a YAC member is important to me because I wanted to be able to contribute to helping raise awareness of mental health issues affecting youth. I wanted to be able to directly interact with young people and gain a better understanding of barriers they face in accessing mental health services.

 

What issues are you passionate about?

I am passionate about issues surrounding anxiety, depression, gender identity and sexuality. I also want to help educate young people about resources and services such as headspace that they seek support from.

 

How do you look after your own headspace?

I love to play guitar, sing and sketch when I feel stressed or anxious.

 

If you could have one super power what would it be and why?

I would probably be Beyoncé, just so I could wake up in the morning looking that perfect. #IWokeUpLikeThis