15 August 2000

 Youth In Charge Of 'Youth Mental Health Forum 2000'

 Young people will be totally in charge during "Young People - The Way We Are", Christchurch's Youth Mental Health Forum 2000, to be held at the Christchurch Convention Centre on Friday 18 August.

During the forum young people will be educating adults about youth issues. They are also organising all the workshops and continuity, and both keynote speakers will be young people.

This is the fifth Youth Mental Health Forum to be held in Christchurch but it is the first where young people will undertake all the educating. It has been designed to provide interactive, thought-provoking and education sessions for people who work with youth. It will also be a place to network for people committed to making a difference in youth mental health.

Sessions will include Youth Culture, Deaf Culture, Volcano Within, Body Image/Self Esteem, Separation, Alcohol and Drugs and Expectations on Youth.

There will also be two debates. Hillmorton High School and St Margaret’s College will debate "The future is ours" and St Andrew’s College and the Boardroom Trust will contest "My today determines my tomorrow".

The forum will start at 8.30am with registrations and a Powhiri at 9am. It will finish at 4pm.

Refreshments will include catering for vegetarians. Entertainment will be by a Maori Culture Group and DJ Asher.

Display areas are available for groups that want to display information relevant to the forum.

The Christchurch City Council in conjunction with Crown Public Health, Cross Over Trust, Ngai Tahu Development, Mental Health Foundation, Youth Specialty Service, the Youth Council, Just Us Youth, and Hauora Matauraka has organised the forum. A large range of professional groups will be attending including representatives from the NZ Police.

Further information: Robyn Moore 03 9416406 or Joshua Terry (Youth spokesperson) 3371335.