Blacktown City Council - Media Release - Youth Voices Heard At Council Pop-Up

2 October 2019

More than 20 young people staged a peaceful protest at last

Friday’s Blacktown City Council’s pop-up information session 

seeking support for Blacktown Youth Services.

The group grabbed centre stage at the Blacktown

Night Markets demanding that Council hears their demands 

including a plea for increased funding for Blacktown Youth 

Services.

Blacktown City Deputy Mayor Tony Bleasdale commended 

the group for making their voices heard and said Council 

wanted to hear more from the young people in the 

community.

“Thank you to all of the young people who had the courage 

and made the effort to come to our pop-up and raise this 

issue. Council wants to work with the youth and will continue 

to support this service and other similar services.” Councillor 

Bleasdale said.

A member of the group who did not want to be named said: 

“Besides hardships we have endured, we are determined 

and resilient, and we want a better community for everyone 

including young people. This is why we are starting this 

movement. This movement is fuelled by the possibility of 

Blacktown Youth Services Association (BYSA) ceasing 

operations due to lack of funding.”

Councillor Bleasdale said Council will continue to support 

the young people in this community and asked members of 

the group to work with Council on ongoing programs.

“Blacktown City Council voted unanimously to call on the 

federal government to increase both the Youth Allowance 

and Newstart Allowance,” Councillor Bleasdale said.

Other residents visiting the pop-up season raised a variety of 

issues with Council from traffic issues and development 

concerns to a call for more community programs for seniors.

“I commend everyone who made the time to visit the pop-up 

session and meet the councillors and tell us your concerns.

“Council will take these issues on board and report back to 

these residents on their specific concerns,” Councillor 

Bleasdale said.

Council will host a final community forum in Tregear on 

Tuesday 8 October with presentations on parks and 

reserves in Ward 5 and a report on safety programs in the 

area. Councillor Bleasdale said: “These information and 

engagement sessions are very important for us as 

Councillors to hear what our residents want to make this city 

and their neighbourhoods great places to live and work.”

Council will also host two pop-ups sessions in coming weeks 

– one in Riverstone on Saturday 12 October and one in 

Kings Langley on Sunday 13 October.

Mayor Stephen Bali said: “We want as many people as 

possible to have ‘Your Say’.

“With my fellow Councillors, I look forward to listening to 

your concerns,” he said.

Details
Forum: Tregear Ward 5 community forum
When: Tuesday 8 October 2019
Time: 7 pm to 9 pm
Where: Tregear Community Centre, Ellsworth Road, Tregear

Forum: Riverstone Ward 1 pop-up session
When: Saturday 12 October 2019
Time: 10 am to 12 pm
Where: Rev up Riverstone, Riverstone Village, Pitt Street, Riverstone.

Forum: Kings Langley Ward 2 pop-up session
When: Saturday 13 October 2019
Time: 10 am to 12 pm

Members of Blacktown Youth make their voices heard at Blacktown pop-up session.

Blacktown City Council - Media Release - Youth Take Over Council Chambers

22 February 2019

Youth Mental Health, Family and Youth Violence and Gender 

and Racial Inequality are the greatest issues facing young

 people today in Blacktown City.

These concerns topped the list of issues raised at Blacktown 

City Council’s inaugural Youth Forum last Thursday 21 

February.

More than 110 students representing 12 school from across

Blacktown City attended the special Youth Forum where

young people were given a voice in shaping the City’s future

including taking their place in a formal youth council.

Blacktown City Mayor Stephen Bali MP said: “This was

a great opportunity for Council to hear what young people in

our City see as the most important issues concerning them.”

The Forum also highlighted social engagement and breaking

down of stereotypes as priorities for young people in the 

Blacktown.

Students called on Council to lobby state and federal 

governments to fund more programs to combat metal health 

among young people.

At the same time, students also said there was a need for

young people themselves to support any of their friends who

were experiencing problems at school or in the home.

One student produced the chilling fact that 75% of all mental

health issues began in childhood.

“As community leaders this was  great opportunity to hear

directly from these young people how their lives are affected 

by these serious issues,” Mayor Bali said.

“It was also great to see the students work together in

different groups, and get the chance to address Councillors 

and Council’s executive staff. I was genuinely blown away by 

the talent and passion these young people displayed during 

the Youth Council session;” Mayor Bali said.

“I encourage shools and young people in the City to continue 

to come forward and engage with us so we jointly address 

these major challenges to improve the lives of youth in 

Blacktown.”

Blacktown’s Young Citizen of the Year, Patrick Gleeson, 

challenged the students: “If you have an idea, no matter how 

crazy, make it happen.”

The success of the Forum was summed up by Blacktown 

City’s Youth Ambassador, Akano Amuda, in his closing 

words when he said; “Today is the day that we start our 

youth engagement in shaping the future of Blacktown City.”

Blacktown City Mayor Stephen Bali MP collaborated with the

youth on a series of issues.

The youth were given a chance to have their voices heard in

a formal youth council in the council chambers.

Blacktown City Council - Media Release - Young People Take Charge Of Council

 8 February 2019

Blacktown City Council is giving local youth the chance to run the Council Chambers for a day as they map out ideas for the City’s future.

The Youth Forum on Thursday 21 February enables high

school students to come together and work on ideas, explore

challenges and provide suggestions for the future of rapidly

growing Blacktown City.

Blacktown City Mayor Stephen Bali embraced the event: “this

is a chance for the youth to take the lead and tell us what

they want. Those who attend will not only take part in

workshops, but will also have a chance to sit in the Council

Chambers and be part of a ‘Junior Council’ as the future 

leaders of this City,” Mayor Bali said.

Students will have the opportunity in Blacktown City to

engage directly with the Mayor, Councillors and Council 

Executive staff.

The forum will include keynote speeches by Council’s Youth

Ambassador Akano Amuda 2018 and Blacktown City’s 2019

Young Citizen of the Year, Patrick Gleeson.

The Youth Forum 2019 is open to all high school students

aged 14 – 18 years from schools in the Blacktown City area.

Students interested in attending should contact their school 

or visit Council’s website for further details.

“We are all are looking forward to the innovation and

enthusiasm the young people of our City will bring to the 

forum,” Mayor Bali said.

“Young people have consistently said they want to tell us

what they think rather than being told what is happening in

the City. We heard them and we want them to take the lead

at the ‘Your Say’ Forum,” Mayor Bali said.

“We want to hear from young people on issues important to 

them!”

Forum details:

Youth Forum 2019

Date and time: Thursday 21 February 2019 - 9.30 am to 

2.30 pm 

Location: Nirimba Room, Level 5, Civic Centre, Blacktown 

(entrance via Campbell Street)

Blacktown City Council’s Youth Ambassador will be presenting at the Youth Forum 2019.

Relationships Australia Results On Youth Suicide Survey July 2017

This is an important survey that was conducted by Relations Australia and each survey is important to look at ways of preventing people taking these measures to end their life when their life is really important and everyone is special.  

Introduction                                      

Youth suicide rates in Australia are higher than in many other countries and suicide is the leading cause of death for young people.  While the overall suicide rate for young people is lower than for older cohorts, a greater percentage of deaths are attributable to suicide in younger age groups when compared to older age groups.  This is due a greater proportion of deaths being attributable to other causes for older people.
While suicide can affect anyone regardless of their personal characteristics and family background, some young people are at greater risk.  Death rates from suicide are considerably higher for young men when compared to young women and for young rural men when compared to young men living in cities.  Research also shows that for young people, for every one suicide there are approximately 100 to 200 suicide attempts.​
Most suicide is preventable.  Suicide prevention starts with recognising the warning signs and taking them seriously, talking to the young person about what’s going on, and helping them seek professional support.
Relationships Australia is committed to reducing suicide and works collaboratively with Suicide Prevention Australia and other suicide prevention and mental health service providers to develop a community that knows how to ask for help and how to give help.
The focus of Relationships Australia’s July 2017 monthly online survey was to explore community understanding of youth suicide by asking visitors to our website a few questions about their views and knowledge of youth suicide.

Previous research finds that…

• The number of suicide deaths is consistently 3 times higher in males than females.
• The highest age-specific suicide rate for males in 2015 was observed in the 85+ age group, with the next highest age-specific suicide rate being in the 45-49, 40-44 and 50-54 year age groups.
• The highest age-specific suicide rate for females in 2015 was observed in the 45-49 age group, followed by the 50-54, 35-39 and 55-59 age groups.
• The lowest age-specific suicide rate for males was in the 0-14 year age group and the 15-19 year age groups.  However, suicide accounted for 28.6% of deaths among 15-19 year old males and 37.9% of deaths among 20-24 year old males in 2015. The corresponding percentages for females in both of these age groups are 33.9% and 31.4% respectively.
• The highest rates of deliberate self-harm occurs for those aged from their teens to middle age.

Results

More than 1450 people responded to the Relationships Australia online survey in July 2017.  Three‑quarters of survey respondents (76%) identified as female, with more females than males responding in every age group (see figure 1 below).  More than 55 per cent of respondents comprised women aged between 30-49 years (inclusive).
As for previous surveys, the demographic profile of survey respondents remains consistent with our experience of the groups of people that would be accessing the Relationships Australia website.

More than 90 per cent of female and 85 per cent of male survey respondents thought that suicide was a significant problem in Australia.  Estimates of the number of suicide attempts varied between male and female survey respondents, with women were more likely to estimate higher rates of attempted suicide than men (figure 2).

Survey respondents were asked which groups of young people they considered were at highest risk of suicide.  More than 45 per cent of women and 33 per cent of men reported that all young people are equally at risk, while one-quarter of men (26%) and one-fifth (19%) of women reported that young men were most at risk of suicide (figure 3).

Both male and female survey respondents were most likely to report that they thought stress, depression or other mental health issues (88%) as the greatest reason for suicide risk.  A large proportion of survey respondents also reported bullying (67%), loneliness or isolation (61%) and abuse or violence in their family (61%) as reasons for suicide risk for young people (figure 4).

A substantial majority of men (55%) and women (63%) thought that young people used drugs and/or alcohol to cope with suicidal thoughts, followed by using digital media or technology such as apps (10%) and speaking with friends and family (women – 7%, men - 10%).
Figure 5 shows that survey respondents considered that responsibility for reducing suicide lay with many people and organisations.  Men were more likely to report that responsibility for reducing youth suicide rested with families (84%) and the healthcare system (74%), while women were more likely to report that it rested with families (85%), the government (78%) and the healthcare system (83%).

References

Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2016). Causes of Death, Australia, 2015. Catalogue No. 3303.0. ACT: Commonwealth of Australia.
Goldsmith SK, Pellmar TC, Kleinman AM, Bunney  WE, editors. (2002). Reducing suicide: a national imperative. Washington, DC: National Academy Press.
www.mindframe-media.info/for-media/reporting-suicide/facts-and-stats

Resources

Where to get help

Despite increased awareness of mental health issues in the community, suicide is the leading cause of death for young people aged 15-24 years in Australia.
According to Suicide Prevention Australia, suicidal thoughts and behaviour are connected to a range of social, personal and contextual risk factors, such as socio-economic disadvantage, bullying and social exclusion, sexual identity and childhood adversity. Young people may think about suicide because of difficult things that may have happened in their past, things currently going on in their lives that they may be having trouble coping with, how connected and supported they feel, and how they feel in terms of their self-worth and life outlook.  Mental health conditions such as depression or anxiety and stressful life events like exams or going through a relationship breakup can also contribute to suicidal thoughts in young people.
Below are some ideas and contact details for services that may help you if you, or someone you know, are thinking about or has attempted suicide.
If you are feeling unsafe right NOW, call the Police on 000.
If you would like to talk to someone you can contact one or more of the services below.   You don't have to provide your name or personal details:

• Kid's Helpline: information is available at www.kidshelpline.com.au or by calling 1800 55 1800.
• Lifeline: information is available at www.lifeline.org.au or by calling 13 11 14.
• SANE Australia: information is available at www.sane.org or by calling 1800 18 7263.
• Suicide Call Back Service: information is available at www.suicidecallbackservice.org.au or by calling 1300 659 467.
• Youth Beyond Blue: information is available at www.youthbeyondblue.com or by calling 1300 22 4636.
• Black Dog Institute: information is available at www.blackdoginstitute.org.au or  by calling 02 9382 4530.
• Mensline Australia: information is available at www.mensline.org.au or by calling 1300 78 99 78.
• National Sexual Assault, Domestic and Family Violence Counselling Service: information is available at www.1800respect.org.au or by calling 1800 737 732, 24-hours a day, seven days a week.
  • Translating and Interpreting Service:  13 14 50.
  • National Relay Service: 133 677.

Youths of Mount Druitt ' What Makes You Smile About Where You Live?" Survey - Meca Mount Druitt

Well, occasionally we have initiatives being thought of that will try to assist our youth in our area.  Each one is to try to keep our youths  minds occupied, off the streets  lurking around, to  seeing a bright future, take appropriate studies, so that you get jobs that  keep them motivated.

So now Meca Mount Druitt, always helping people from different backgrounds, is   now trying to make our youths think about  positive things of our community. I support this survey 100% . Spread this around to all the youths in our area to complete.

Click here for video on "what makes you Smile About Where You live?" Youths

Meca Mount Druitt

· 8 hrs ·

It’s time to challenge the negative stereotypes of young people in Western Sydney.

We want to know what young people love about the West so we can highlight positive stories. We're running a quick survey asking young people: "What makes you smile about where you live?"

The responses will be published in a report and sent to every politician in Western Sydney. We'll also create a local mural as a physical reminder of the importance of young people’s opinions.

The responses will be published in a report and sent to every politician in Western Sydney. We'll also create a local mural as a physical reminder of the importance of young people’s opinions.

Click here for the Youth Survey by Meca Mount Druitt

A Patrol of Community Warmth The Youth of Mount Druitt

What is great is the power of God and Jesus through

people and especially young people!

It is with great warm-hearted feeling that I present to our community, such a great story that needs to be told and heard. This is so, it will have a positive and wider impact to our community as they may not be aware of, especially when this is reducing crime.

In today's world, we live in fear every day, in fear of  anti-social behaviour that may happen in our own streets, by mostly youths that may not understand of being a respectable person in our community leads towards a positive path of life goodness.

This started with a group of elder pacific island members of our community, who we're not happy with their youths roaming around different streets of Mount Druitt and surrounding suburbs, during the middle of the night. The youth were looking to do mischief in the area and these elders have taken on hand, to patrol by foot at night searching for these children and youths of the night, in different neighbourhoods and setting these ways to a more positive life of being Christian. 

On Thursday night they are meeting up to 150 of them, at Mount Druitt Town Square, singing praises, worshiping to the Lord and showing the community the strength and power of love that is amongst themselves. While they are doing this keeping them of the streets, cleaning their hearts for the love of a peaceful community.

Anyone walking past is happily greeted by one or two of them. These youth show their pride as they talk a out their Pastor, with happiness and being so content in their lives. 

They are inspirational to our own community as they hug and call each other 'Brother & Sister'. Later one blesses myself, the human kind hugs shared and the many open handshakes with such pride.

Come and greet them on Thursday night and they will greet you back. Our community is that much safer!






Click here for previous post on the Elder Patrols