• People aged 16-24 have the highest prevalence of mental disorders of any group in Australia
• Charles Sturt University to help deliver program aimed at helping Wagga Wagga High School students manage mental health

Charles Sturt University is helping young people in Wagga Wagga build practical skills to manage stress, strengthen resilience and support their peers through a youth mental health forum.

About 160 students from Wagga Wagga High School will take part in the ‘Stronger Together: Your Mind, Your Mates, Your Power’ forum on Thursday 24 September.

Students will take part in workshops covering mental health myths and stigma, the importance of physical movement in emotional regulation, and the development of a personalised ‘Strong Minds Toolkit’.

They will practise breathing techniques, learn to identify early signs of stress and be directed to services they can approach for support.

According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, people aged 16-24 have the highest prevalence of mental disorders of any group in Australia. Youth mental health issues are more common in regional Australia, where access to support services are more limited.

Charles Sturt University lecturer and Wagga Wagga Local Health Advisory Committee Co-Chair, Dr Andreia Schineanu (inset), said the forum was designed around prevention and early intervention rather than waiting until young people reach crisis point.

“Much of our response to youth mental health understandably focuses on helping young people once they are already experiencing significant distress,” Dr Andreia said.

“But prevention also means giving young people knowledge and practical skills before they reach that point.”

“We want to help young people understand what stress can look and feel like, recognise their own early warning signs, practise simple strategies to regulate those responses and know when and where to seek additional support.”

Dr Schineanu said the forum demonstrated the importance of translating research into practical initiatives that benefit local communities.

“As a regional university, Charles Sturt has an important role in working alongside schools, health services and communities to turn evidence into practical action,” Dr Andreia said.

“This forum takes evidence-based concepts around stress regulation, resilience, connection and early help-seeking and translates them into activities that are engaging and useful for young people.”

The forum is run by the Murrumbidgee Local Health District, with in-kind support from Charles Sturt University, Murrumbidgee Primary Health Network, Wagga Wagga High School and other local health and community service providers, together with volunteers from the Wagga Wagga Local Health Advisory Committee.

It will be held at PCYC Wagga Wagga from 10am-2pm on Thursday 24 September.