The Youth Conversation Well-being hub
Advocating and educating youth mental health
The Youth Conversation Well-being hub
Advocating and educating youth mental health
Welcome to The Youth Conversation
What is The Youth Conversation ??
The Youth Conversation is a youth mental health organisation founded by Darcy Truin that strives to support, educate and advocate for the mental health of youth within the community. Through workshops, events, presentations, podcasts, merchandise and child consultations, The Youth Conversation aims to empower the lives of young people and guide them to find their purpose and belief within themselves.
Our Services
We offer a wide range of services to support, educate and advocate for young people's mental health and well-being, including workshops, events, presentations, merchandise and family support. Our growing experienced team of incredible humans are here to help you and your child.
Our Community
We are proud to be a part of the local community and are committed to giving back. We work with local organisations to provide mental health education and resources to those in need. We also offer volunteer opportunities for those looking to get involved.
Education and advocacy of mental health in youth
Advocating for and educating youth about mental health is of paramount importance due to various interconnected reasons. Adolescence is a critical period where mental health issues often emerge, making it crucial to equip young individuals with the knowledge to recognize early signs and symptoms, facilitating timely intervention and prevention of more severe conditions. Additionally, mental health education contributes significantly to the reduction of stigma associated with mental health, fostering a more understanding and accepting society. By empowering youth with information, we enable them to make informed decisions about their mental well-being, seek support without fear of judgement, and develop effective coping strategies for life's challenges. The process goes beyond individual benefits; it builds resilience on a broader scale, creating a culture that views mental health as integral to overall well-being. This education also enhances interpersonal relationships, as it equips young people to recognize signs of distress in their peers and contribute to a supportive community. Recognizing the impact of mental health on academic performance, mental health education can create an environment conducive to learning and achievement. Moreover, fostering a positive attitude toward mental health early in life sets the foundation for long-term well-being, instilling healthy habits, coping mechanisms, and attitudes that can carry into adulthood. In the context of the digital age, where technology and social media play significant roles, educating youth about mental health helps them navigate these influences, promoting a healthy relationship with the online world. Overall, advocating for youth mental health is an investment in creating a compassionate, understanding, and supportive community that values and priorities mental well-being in various aspects of life, from education to healthcare and beyond.
What can I do when I feel stressed ??
Here's some ideas
- Go for a walk, even if it’s for 15 minutes.
- Write whatever is in your head out onto a piece of paper
- If you have an impending deadline, ask for an extension or reschedule some things to allow you time to focus on what is most important
- Luxuriate in a long, hot shower or bath
- Eat something healthy and nourishing, or cook/order your favourite comfort food
- Remember that you are doing your best, and that’s okay!
- Practice the art of delegation. Can you hand something off to someone or ask to help you?
- Get creative: colour, paint, draw, write, crochet, craft
- Give yourself some breathing space and cancel your plans
- Take a break from social media. Even better, remove the apps from your phone
- Spend uninterrupted and unplugged time with your pet/kid/partner/friend/family
- Break large tasks down into bite-size, digestible chunks
- Have some me-time and plan an evening of rest
- Watch a funny movie or show
- Do something ‘manual’ – pull weeds, water the plants, prune some trees, reorganise the pantry, scrub the bathroom, wash the car … anything to burn off that stressful energy!
- Ask someone for a hug
- Cut back on the alcohol and caffeine
- Share what you are going through and ask for support from someone you trust
- Listen to your favourite music
- Wear your best perfume, favourite outfit, pretty underwear, pop on your fave dress or shoes, whatever makes you walk tall and feel good
- Laugh
- Write in a journal
- Write a list of priorities, things to do, pros and cons
- Sit somewhere quiet and enjoy a nice cup of tea or
- Meditate or pray
- Take a mental health day
- Have a girls’ or boys night in
- Identify some ‘quick wins’ you can tick off your to-do list. By quickly ticking off a few simple things, you will feel like you are getting stuff done and succeeding!
- Spend time in nature
- Revisit a hobby you haven’t done in a while
- Hang out with your favourite people who lift you up
- Treat yourself to something. It could be a massage, a manicure, a new pair of shoes, a new book…
- Turn off your phone
- Write a list of 5 things you are grateful for each day
- Create a relaxing environment at home. Light a candle, burn some incense or diffuse some oils
- Take a weekend off and go on a road trip or spend the weekend at home having some me-time
- Learn to say no
- Look for a new job or make a change
- Exercise
- If stress impacts your physical and mental health, book in to speak to your doctor.
How can I support my child's mental health ??
Here's some ideas
- Help kids feel safe, loved, and cared for. This is the best way to offset stress. Feeling close to you and knowing you love and accept them is more important than ever. Provide routines, like the same bedtime, eating a meal together, or being there after school. Routines provide a rhythm and let kids know there are things they can count on.
- Teach coping skills. Kids feel better when they know there are things they can do for themselves to offset their stress. Kids of all ages can learn and practice calm breathing and meditation. There are many other skills to learn too.
- Help them take a break from stress. Make time to play, draw or paint, spend time in nature, read a book, play an instrument, be with friends and family. These activities are more than just fun. They help kids and teens feel positive emotions that offset stress.
- Reach out to your child’s doctor or a therapist. Chronic stress sometimes requires more support than a parent can provide alone.
- Advocate for your child. Sometimes, chronic stressors are outside of your child's control. In these cases, it can be helpful for parents to engage with the stressor directly (for example, contacting school staff about bullying).
Winter self care
Here's some ideas
- Gratitude – Practice daily gratitude and appreciate all that you have in life, instead of constantly searching and wishing for what you don’t.
- Journal – Get your thoughts out of your head and down onto paper so you can see them clearly and take action where necessary. Journalling helps us reconnect with our thoughts and check in with our emotions.
- 10 minutes to yourself – It may not be a long time but just having some quiet time to do what YOU want, instead of what others want you to do, can help you recharge your batteries.
- Bath and bubbles – Nothing beats a long soak in a warm bath with some lovely bath products to add a little touch of luxury!
- A hot cup of coffee, tea or hot chocolate – Make yourself a hot drink and make time to actually sit and drink it whilst it’s still warm! Be present in the moment and enjoy it.
- Walk in the cold – Wrap up warm and take a brisk walk in the cold to get your body moving and blood pumping. Walking has amazing health benefits.
- Enjoy mulled wine – A perfect seasonal treat that warms the heart and the body!
- Think about your goals for next year – Take some time to really plan some intentional goals that align with your priorities and really serve you in your life.
- Sort your winter clothes – Declutter your wardrobe and go through the cold weather clothes to see what you love, what you wear regularly and what you haven’t worn for the last 3 winters.
- Light a scented candle – Bring a little warmth and cosy light to your home when it’s dark outside.
- Decorate your home with seasonal colours and accessories – Go for colours and textures that reflect the season we’re in.
- Read a book – When it’s cold and dark outside, nothing beats curling up under a blanket with a good book.
Seeking help
13 11 14
Thoughts of suicide can be frightening, confusing and isolating. Lifeline is here to listen and support you.
The Youth Conversation
