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Youth Mental Health Forum
23 October 2020
Facilitating discussion around youth mental health
This Mental Health Month the Matilda Centre hosted the #youthgotthis Youth Mental Health Forum to bring together young people, parents, educators, health workers and researchers to facilitate an online discussion and live Q&A moderated by television presenter and Mental Health Advocate, Jessica Rowe.
On Wednesday 14 October 2020, the Matilda Centre hosted the #youthgotthis Youth Mental Health Forum.
Over 1,000 Australians registered for the online event and participants were encouraged to send in questions in to the panel. More than 600 households joined the event live and over 200 questions were sent in.
The live Q&A was facilitated by by accomplished journalist, television presenter and Mental Health Advocate, Jessica Rowe AM.
The #youthgotthis Youth Mental Health Forum was initiated by Emily Cook, Rebecca Overton and Maree Teesson with the young people in their lives.
The forum covered topics including:
- Differentiating normal teen behaviour from an emerging mental illness
- What to do if you are concerned about your childs' mental health
- Important lifestyle measures to promote wellbeing and positive mental health
- Young people supporting friends with mental health difficulties
- Role of psychologists
- Apps and digital programs that can help
Dr Rebecca Overton (General Practitioner) has provided her summary of key messages from the forum.
Ways for schools to get involved
Climate Schools
FREE online program for Australian Schools
As a show of support for the challenges that school staff, parents and young people are facing during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Matilda Centre is offering schools in Australia free access to the Climate Schools program which includes a new module on mental health.
Register your school
Mind your Mate
Particpate in the Mind your Mate trial
Mind your Mate is a new online peer-to-peer intervention tool for young people wanting to help their friends who are facing mental health and substance use problems in adolescence. For more information or to participate in the trial please contact
Dr Louise Birrell
Thank you for your support
Thank you to everyone who took part in the event.
Special mention to our MC and panellists:
- Jessica Rowe AM, accomplished journalist, television presenter and Mental Health Advocate
- Martin Isidro (VIC) and Kate Black (WA), PREMISE Youth Advisory Board
- Professor Maree Teesson, Director, the Matilda Centre, the University of Sydney
- Anne Johnstone, Headmistress of Ravenswood and Chair of the Positive Education in Schools Association
- Kristen Douglas, National Manager, Headspace Schools
- Dr Sloane Madden, Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist, St Leonards Clinic, Northside Group
- Dr Ally Nicolopoulos, Behaviour Consultant & Psychologist, Tiny Terrors
- Professor Helen Christensen, Director and Chief Scientist, Black Dog Institute
- Professor Gordon Parker, Scientia Professor of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales
Thank you also to all the staff who worked behind the scenes to make this event possible.
Next steps
The event organisers are collating all the compelling questions and feedback from the event.
If you would like to join future #youthgotthis events please sign up to the Matilda Centre mailing list.
If you are experiencing distress and need support, you can contact:
For Youth:
- Kids Helpline: 1800 551 800
- Headspace: 1800 650 890
- ReachOut: au.reachout.com
For Adults:
- Lifeline: 13 11 14
- Beyond Blue: 1300 22 46 36
- Suicide Callback Service: 1300 659 467
- MensLine Australia: 1300 789 978
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