National Youth Week 2010 (April 10-18)

It’s time to celebrate being a young person in Australia and Live it Now!

Getting involved in National Youth Week has never been so easy. You can organise or go to an event, attend one of the launches, enter talent competitions, or just spread the word by handing out free Youthbeyondblue stuff!

During National Youth Week, Youthbeyondblue encourages young people to LOOK for the signs of depression and anxiety, to LISTEN to their friends’ experiences, TALK about what’s going on - and SEEK help together.

National Youth Week is proudly supported in every state and territory, and nationally, by beyondblue.

What’s on

Ever year between April 10 and April 18, literally hundreds of events take place across the country. Many of these are supported by grants from beyondblue.

Launches

Every year, NYW is launched in style around Australia with entertainment, games, inspirational speakers, competitions and Youthbeyondblue stands. Mark these dates down!

See what beyondblue is doing in each state and territory for National Youth Week 2010.

Local events

To find out what’s happening near you visit the official National Youth Week website calendar.

Check out the photos from last year’s National Youth Week events!

Organise your own event

A great way to get involved is to hold your own event. Here are some ideas using Youtbeyondblue’s key messages of Look, Listen, Talk and Seek.

Look

art expo
pet expo
photography or film competition
walking tour
drawing competition
street theatre
cultural performance
dance performance
fashion parade
design and print a greeting card with a positive message
paint a mural (with permission of the wall owner of course!)

Listen

music festival
make and record some music
battle of the bands
DJ competition
talent quest
music festival
drama festival
film festival or movie night
comedy festival
theatre production
karaoke night

Talk

radio forum and talkback session - contact your local station
youth forum
debate
survey
writing or poetry comp
create a website
food tasting day
cook out
write and produce a community newsletter or youth publication

Seek, and live it now!

skateboarding competition
sports day
fun run
treasure hunt/mystery nights
surfing and water sports
pool party
barbeque
cultural awareness day with art, dancing and food tasting
dance party
adventure day

If you’d like free stuff to hand out, go to our resources ordering page.

Order free stuff

An easy way to get involved is to order Youthbeyondblue material for you and your friends. We have wristbands, sweatbands and postcards, temporary tattoos, 24 fact sheets, DVDs and much more! Best of all… it’s all FREE. Visit the ordering page or call 1300 22 4636 to order. Make sure you get your order in early.

Can’t decide? Order a youth pack.

Or, you can call the National Youth Office in your state or territory to place an order.

Enter the WriteIT! Competition

The National WriteIT! Competition is again proudly supported by beyondblue. Budding writers are invited to submit an entry in this writing competition for National Youth Week. This year’s theme is ‘Look, listen, talk and seek help!’ Great prizes are up for grabs, so stay tuned for entry details (coming very soon!). Check out last year’s winners.

Meet our new young ambassadors

Nothing is more important than the real stories of young people to help spread the message that it’s OK to talk about mental health. In 2010, Youthbeyondblue welcomed eight new ambassadors, aged 19 to 25, all with unique stories of hope and recovery to tell. Check out their profiles…

Something on your mind? Have your say

Talking about what you’re going through can really help. That’s why Youthbeyondblue has a forum where you can discuss your problems with people your age.

Media

To arrange an interview with a beyondblue spokesperson or one of our new youth ambassadors to talk about National Youth Week, call the Communications Team on 03 9810 6100 (journalists only).

beyondblue media releases.