Around 380 students from across Hornsby and Ku-ring-gai attended the third annual Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Youth Forum on Wednesday.
This year's event was the largest Forum yet, with students coming together to discuss the leading issues in the area of mental health.
Students listened to several key note speakers on the day including; Knox Grammar School's headmaster, John Weeks, Hornsby State Liberal MP Matt Kean and mental health advocate, Bronte O'Brien.
A leading panel of industry professionals were also in attendance from KYDS Youth Development Service, Medicare Local and the NSW Police Force.
Students had the opportunity to ask questions and brainstorm methods to help not only themselves but also their school communities. Teachers were not left out and had the opportunity to attend a professional development session named 'Leading Wisely', led by Geoff Strong of GRIP Leadership. Students also heard from Sarah Viapiana, who graduated from Ku-ring-gai Creative Arts High School, and was part of a team who won the NAB Schools First prize in 2013 for their plans put together at the previous Youth Forum. The day was a huge success, but was not without the help of the Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Youth Network.
Quotes from Matt should you have room to include :
"The Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Youth Forum is a great imitative to go directly to the students and see how we as community leaders can help many of the problems our youth are facing," Mr Kean said.
"The youth Forum is very beneficial to Government, the police and health services to gain a better insight into how we can better manage problems such as suicide, stress-related illness and depression."
"I'm very proud of the NSW Government's mental health funding in Hornsby so far with $36 million spent on the new Mental Health Facility. This is a fantastic win for our community but I pledge to continue to advocate for further mental health funding in the future.
