Youths Organise First Ever Peer Support Symposium
More than 100 youths will discuss commonplace mental health issues at the first ever youth-driven peer support symposium on 28 August 2010. Issues to be addressed include sexuality, internet and gaming addiction, depression and boy-girl relationships (BGR).
Organised by Audible Hearts, an online peer support network managed by a group of youth volunteers between aged 17-27 years old and supported by the Health Promotion Board (HPB), the symposium aims to raise awareness on positive mental well-being among youths and empower them to provide peer support within their communities.
Youth will also participate in the World Cafe segment where they will brainstorm on practical ideas and projects on mental health and peer support. At least three ideas will be selected for implementation through the YAH grant scheme.
Mental health among youths is rarely addressed but this does not mean they do not face challenges that affect their mental well-being. Youths face daily challenges in school and friends are often their first support when faced with difficult situations. We understand the importance of peer support and we hope this symposium will help empower and enable youths who are interested in peer support, to come together and network with one another, said Ms Prema Govindan, Deputy Director, Youth Health Programme Development 2, HPB.
About Audible Hearts
Audible Hearts is a secure web portal offering online peer support by youths for youths managed by a network of trained and dedicated youth volunteers between 17-27 years old. The portal aims to supplement current help-lines as an avenue for young people to seek support anonymously through the Internet. It works through a system where posts by users and responses from Youthpals are exchanged and communicated via the website within a timeframe of 36 hours. Audible Hearts is about lending a listening ear and exploring options with the user from a peer s perspective. It also provides opportunities for youth volunteers to learn to be empathetic and be exposed to a wide range of youth issues.
Formed in November 2006, Audible Hearts was first conceptualised at the 2006 National Youth Forum and subsequently developed and implemented in collaboration with the Health Promotion Board.
For more information, please visit
www.audiblehearts.sg
About Youth Advolution for Health (YAH)
Youth Advolution for Health (YAH) is Singapore s first youth-led health advocacy programme aimed at empowering youths aged 17-25 years old to advocate for a healthy lifestyle. Launched in September 2005, YAH inspires youth to come up with revolutionary and creative methods of promoting health among their peers. YAH s areas of interest include sexual health, mental wellness, smoking control, alcohol education, nutrition and regular physical activity.
YAH also empowers youth with a Project Funding Scheme that provides up to $1,000 to groups of youth who are interested in carrying out health-related projects.
YAH is developed and supported by the Health Promotion Board.
For more information, please visit
www.yah.sg