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Youth Reference Group

Young people at the heart of the Alliance.

A group of young people with lived experience of mental ill health, bringing a contemporary and proactive youth perspective to the Alliance's work.

About Us

Who we are, and what we do

Who we are

The Youth Reference Group (YRG) is a group of young people aged 16–24 with lived experience of mental ill health that sits within the Alliance to provide a contemporary and proactive perspective of young people. We were heavily involved in co-designing the Alliance, and have representation on the Coordinating Committee.

What we do

Beyond our consultative role, we are active participants across Alliance Forums, the Coordinating Committee and the wider community. We also pursue independent projects aimed at addressing gaps in the conversation around young people and mental ill health. Our work is grounded in co-design and co-production — young people shaping the things that affect them.

Current activities

A brief overview of our general activities. More coming soon.

Awards & outreach

More coming soon.

History

More coming soon.

What We're Up To

The latest from the YRG

Regular updates on what the Youth Reference Group has been working on — the projects we're contributing to, consultations we've taken part in, and what's coming up next — will be shared here.

More coming soon.

Resources & Pieces of Work

Resources we've created, and work we want to elevate

Young people laughing together

'Our Say' — Youth Lived Experience FAQs

YRG Resource

'Our Say' — Youth Lived Experience FAQs

'Our Say' compiles the broader, bigger-picture questions that young people are often asked during consultations, or whilst engaged in advocacy work — along with some of the YRG members' respective answers.

Developed by members of the YRG as a preliminary resource to help those who consult with the YRG get the most out of their time and participate in effective, meaningful engagement. It is also a public resource that can be referenced, quoted and used in a variety of projects — see the 'Before you Start' section of the document for more information.

The YRG is looking to continuously improve this document for future iterations, and welcomes all feedback.

Read the resource (PDF) Share your feedback

YRG Resource

Rights and Responsibilities

A resource developed by the YRG outlining rights and responsibilities around member participation and engagement.

View resource

Resources we want to elevate

The YRG also points to resources created by others that we think deserve a wider audience — work that reflects the voices and needs of young people in the ACT and beyond.

For more information on 'Our Say' or to suggest a resource, contact the YRG at OfficeforMHW@act.gov.au.

Get In Touch

Connect with the YRG

If you'd like to join or meet with the YRG, contact Josephine Brogden, the YRG Group Coordinator, to organise a chat about how you can get involved.

Primary contact

Josephine Brogden
Project Officer & YRG Coordinator
Josephine.brogden@act.gov.au

Secondary contact

Office for Mental Health and Wellbeing
OfficeforMHW@act.gov.au

Join the YRG

Get involved

The YRG is always looking for new perspectives. If you're a young person with lived experience and a passion for changing the mental health system for the better — or you know one — learn about how to get involved.

Get in touch