ACROSS Hornsby Ku-ring-gai, a team of Youth Health Consultants are working to improve the efficacy of youth-targeted health services. The Youth Health Consultants, aged 15-24, use their unique perspective, local knowledge and creative skills to improve young people’s engagement with health and wellness. They are employed by the North Sydney Youth Health Promotion (NSYHP) program.
Charlotte McLeod, 16, is a local high school student who has been working as a youth consultant for the last two years.
“It’s so important to have the input of young people in the planning and delivery of health promotion initiatives and services they interact with so they’re more accessible and genuine,” she said. “Most of the job consists of sharing ideas within the team to develop strategies to address issues that affect young people’s health, from diet to sexual and mental health to concussions. I have found the youth consultant role so fulfilling due to the variety of tasks we engage with.”
By including local Youth Health Consultants in the design and delivery of health promotion initiatives, the North Shore Local Health District (NSLHD) can enhance the health and wellbeing of young people by empowering them in their health choices.
The team’s initiatives cover a broad range of hot-button issues for young adults, including healthy relationships, mental health support, smoking prevention, and food access for young people at risk of homelessness.
Health services frequently attend the program’s team meetings, asking youth consultants for their ideas, opinions and perspectives about resources, projects and initiatives they are developing.
Alongside providing input and advice on youth-targeted health promotion programs, the youth health consultants are also trained to conduct on-site visits for health services.
“Our youth consultants also have the opportunity to visit health services and audit the youth friendliness of that service,” said Courtney Jefferies, Health Promotion Youth Coordinator. “The youth health consultants will have a checklist and create a list of recommendations to provide to the service after the audit. Empowering young people in their health choices is a key aspect of delivering a high standard of care and improving community health.”
The Youth Consultants also participate in outreach activities to engage other young people at schools, youth centres, forums, conferences, and festivals.
Youth Consultants hold fortnightly meetups, which provide an opportunity for services to consult with the team on any youth-targeted health programs, resources or ideas. Meetings are held after hours on the second and fourth Tuesday each month between 6:30-8:30pm.
For more information or to book a free consultation, go to Youth Friendly Consultations – NSLHD or email NSLHD-YouthHealthPromotion@health.nsw.gov.au