Health and Wellbeing under the spotlight at Youthline Fono

Health and Wellbeing under the spotlight at Youthline Fono

Press Release:

On March 31st 2011 Youthline Manukau are hosting a Fono at the AUT Manukau campus which will bring together members of Youth Health Councils from all across Auckland.

Youth Health Councils deal with the entire wellbeing of a person, often setting up initiatives to improve the health status of youth, such as introducing healthier tuck shop menu’s into schools.

With support from Counties Manukau District Health Board and the ASB Charitable Trust this work is evolving alongside the school nurse’s teams and secondary schools across Auckland.

Youthline has been tasked with developing and supporting Youth Health Councils, a job which Youth Development Worker Grace Taylor, believes is vital.

“If we can support youth to take responsibility for their own wellbeing and make positive changes now, the flow on effects for the future will be invaluable.”

At present there are 18 Youth Health Council’s operating in Auckland, Youthline are hoping to increase this to 30 by July.

A report put out by the Counties Manukau District Health Board in December 2010 highlights the need for Youth Health Councils. It states that less than 1 in 10 adults in Counties Manukau aged 15 and above are leading a ‘healthy lifestyle.’

A ‘healthy lifestyle’ is based on not smoking, safe alcohol consumption, being regularly physically active, eating 5+ a day and not being obese.

Between 2 and 3 hundred people are expected to attend the Fono, where various health providers will do a “speed dating” style presentation about what they do.

“Another function of Youth Health Councils is to create interest in careers in the health sector, so this will be a great opportunity for the youth to make connections with people who they could potentially work with,” says Grace.

Three workshops will also take place over the day, one will be a general youth development workshop, another will look at event management and the third will give an overview of the different health issues plaguing our communities.

“The aim of the day is that the youth feel equipped with the knowledge and resources to come up with initiatives and implement them.”

If you would like to know more about the Fono or if you are interested in setting up a Youth Health Council in your school or community group, please contact:

Grace Taylor:

DDI 3614185 ext 731 mob: 021674210

ENDS