Youth Advocacy and Action to Improve Outcomes in Health and Equity (VCE SSCE Health and Human Development): Revision Notes
Youth Advocacy and Action to Improve Outcomes in Health and Equity
Introduction to youth advocacy
Young people often face barriers that prevent them from accessing appropriate healthcare resources, understanding their rights, and fully utilising available health services. Healthcare decisions have historically been made by professionals without considering young people's views, making them passive recipients rather than active participants in their own care. This is why youth advocacy and action are essential for improving health outcomes and equity.
Advocacy is the act of promoting the interests or cause of an individual or a group of people. For young people, effective advocacy creates opportunities to influence, shape, design and contribute to policies, services and programmes that affect their health and wellbeing.
Effective youth advocacy is based on three core principles:
- Young people being informed about issues affecting their health
- Young people influencing outcomes in decisions and policies
- Young people being involved in decision-making and evaluation processes
Why youth advocacy matters
The World Health Organization describes advocacy for health as "a combination of individual and social actions designed to gain political commitment, policy support, social acceptance and systems support for a particular health goal or programme".
Benefits of advocacy
Advocacy can deliver multiple positive outcomes:
- Encourage participation - young people gain a voice in decisions that affect them
- Address inequalities - helps identify and reduce health disparities
- Improve services - services become more responsive to youth needs
- Change attitudes and values - reduces stigma and discrimination
Core goals of health advocacy
Two main goals underpin all health advocacy efforts:
- Protecting vulnerable people - safeguarding those who face discrimination or disadvantage
- Empowering people - enabling those who need a stronger voice to express their needs and make their own decisions
For youth mental health specifically, advocacy seeks to reduce discrimination and stigma associated with conditions like anxiety and depression. This is particularly important because more than 70% of people experiencing mental ill-health will not reach out for help, largely due to stigma.
Types of advocacy
Advocacy work can occur in different settings, each with its own approach and focus. Understanding these different types helps young people identify the most effective strategies for their advocacy goals.
Policy advocacy
Policy advocacy aims to gain political commitment by directly influencing government policy, legislation or regulations. This involves lobbying - trying to influence or persuade an organisation or government to take action.
Organised groups such as Youthbeyondblue and VicHealth focus their efforts through various methods:
- Lobbying members of parliament
- Making submissions to government inquiries
- Conducting research
- Coordinating action
Policy Advocacy in Action: beyondblue's Government Submissions
beyondblue has a stated aim to positively influence national, state and territory policies to ensure they consider the needs of people with depression and anxiety.
In 2018, beyondblue made submissions to the Council of Australian Governments about improving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander social and emotional wellbeing, and to Senate Standing Committees about the accessibility and quality of mental health services in rural and remote Australia.
Public advocacy
Public advocacy aims to gain social acceptance by influencing behaviour, opinion and practices of the public. This approach mobilises groups and institutions involved in affecting change.
Public Advocacy in Action: SANE Australia's StigmaWatch
SANE Australia operates StigmaWatch, which monitors and responds to inaccurate or inappropriate stigmatising portrayals of mental disorders or suicide in the media.
StigmaWatch acts on concerns from individuals who are distressed by news stories, advertisements and other media representations that stigmatise people with mental disorders or promote self-harm or suicide. By holding mass media accountable, StigmaWatch advocates on behalf of those affected by mental health issues.
The Australian Mental Health Prize, established in 2016 by UNSW, recognises Australians who have made outstanding contributions to mental health advocacy.
Matthew Johnstone, a 2018 finalist, is a mental health advocate who has created illustrated programmes, videos and books on mental health, resilience and wellbeing. His first book, "I Had a Black Dog", details his journey with depression and has been published in more than 15 countries. The video version created for the World Health Organization is their most viewed video ever, with 30 million views across their combined media platforms.
Community advocacy
Community advocacy aims to gain support of social systems and effect change by working with affected communities to influence behaviour and practices.
Community Advocacy in Action: City of Monash
The City of Monash is working to encourage development of resources and education for mental health and wellbeing for individuals living in the local area.
Young people offer valuable and diverse perspectives that contribute significantly to their communities. When young people participate in advocacy, they themselves become empowered. Young people can strengthen health and wellbeing programmes in areas that may be considered sensitive or stigmatised, such as youth sexuality and reproductive health, drug and alcohol abuse, homelessness or gender-based violence.
Peer-to-peer youth programmes
Peer-to-peer youth programmes involve young people providing informal support to other young people.
These programmes assume that:
- Young people are more likely to discuss personal issues with their peers rather than with parents or adults
- Peers are often regarded as a more credible and non-judgemental source of information
Case study: Youth advocacy for a local headspace programme
Youth-Led Advocacy Campaign: Raise Your Hand for Monash Youth
The problem: Data indicated that young people in Monash faced significant barriers to accessing mental health support. It took an average of 63 minutes to reach a headspace centre, and the 2017 Youth Resilience Survey conducted across Monash schools revealed:
- 44% of young people do not feel optimistic about their future
- 41% are losing sleep through worry
- 46% do not feel in control of their lives
- 72% text between 10 pm and 6 am
The advocacy action: In 2018, young people in Monash coproduced a video with Monash Council to advocate for a headspace facility in their area. They called their campaign "Raise Your Hand for Monash Youth" with social media hashtags #RaiseYourHand4MonashYouth and #Headspace4Monash.
The approach: Monash Council collaborated with young people to speak out about how these issues impacted them daily. The campaign included:
- Gathering more than 4000 postcards signed by the community in support
- Meetings between Mayors, young people and federal politicians
- A trip to Canberra to meet with the ministerial adviser for the Minister for Health
The outcome: Both the federal government and federal Labor opposition committed to fund a headspace service in Monash. Mayor Cr McCluskey said, "We are in awe of the young people in this community who have fought so hard to have this facility in Monash". The headspace centre began operating in March, located close to public transport and schools in Syndal. It is operated by a consortium led by Alfred Health including Monash Youth Services, Access Employment Services, EACH, Gateway LLEN, Hawthorn Football Club and Launch Housing.
Youth-led organisations in Australia
There are numerous youth-led organisations operating in Australia that advocate for youth mental health and wellbeing. Here are three examples:
WYPIN (Western Young People's Independent Network)
WYPIN is based in the western region of Melbourne. It is led by young people from diverse backgrounds and works to achieve a vision of an inclusive, multicultural society.
SYN
SYN is a media organisation run by a community of young people. It provides training and radio, TV and internet broadcast opportunities for young Australians, giving them platforms to share their voices and perspectives.
batyr
batyr focuses on preventative education in the area of youth mental health and wellbeing.
batyr provides programmes that train young people to speak about their personal experiences with mental ill-health and start conversations in their community. batyr takes these speakers into schools, universities and corporate arenas to continue conversations around mental health and wellbeing. The programmes engage, educate and empower audiences to learn from the experiences of others and to reach out to support services.
Planning advocacy: A practical framework
Anyone can be an advocate - you do not need formal qualifications. However, to advocate on behalf of a group or community, you need the consent and support of the community or group you are representing.
Australian youth, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and people from migrant and refugee backgrounds have often had others advocate on their behalf. While this has led to some good outcomes, enabling them to advocate for themselves means they are involved in decisions affecting their lives.
The following table outlines a four-step advocacy planning framework that can be used by young people:
| Step | Key question | Actions to take |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Identify the focus | What health and wellbeing focus or inequity needs promoting? | Identify a health and wellbeing focus or inequity related to Australia's youth. Sources of information include: - Government reports such as Australia's Health 2020 - Mission Australia Youth Survey - Survey results - Media items - Personal experience |
| 2. Determine what needs to change | What needs to be done or changed? | Decide which of the following is needed: - Increased awareness about the issue - Changed policy - Increased youth participation - Improved access to resources |
| 3. Gather information | What is known about the health and wellbeing focus or inequity? | Collect information through: - A literature or media review - Identification of the cause and who it affects - Expert opinion - A focus group with targeted groups of young people - Vox pops - An online survey with a broad cross-section of young people |
| 4. Take action | What opportunities for action are there? | Undertake any of the following actions: - Work with a group or expert - Arrange a face-to-face meeting with decision-makers - Write and deliver a position paper, research and policy document - Do a public presentation - Start a programme - Create a school activity - Organise a public meeting - Write a letter or email, make phone calls - Develop a social media campaign that includes a petition, blog or website - Participate in a committee or forum - Use mainstream media through an opinion piece or letter to the editor |
Case study: batyr's "Be Heard, by your Herd" campaign
Advocacy Campaign in Action: Be Heard, by your Herd
The context: During COVID-19 lockdowns and physical distancing, many people felt significant effects on their mental health. Despite this, more than 70% of people experiencing mental ill-health will not reach out for help, largely due to stigma.
The campaign: batyr launched the "Be Heard, by your Herd" campaign to remind everyone that when going through a rough time, they are not alone. There is always someone to talk to and someone who cares.
The approach: Thanks to oOh! Media and QMS donating prime outdoor media inventory, with support from UnLtd, bright and vibrant billboards were placed in various locations across Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.
The message: batyr head of brand Jenya Holland said, "We're encouraging everyone to keep talking about how they are truly doing during this time, whether it's reaching out to a family member or friend, calling a support line, or speaking with a professional via a telehealth service, it's important to stay connected and feel heard. If you feel like you're doing OK, look out for someone who you think may be having a rough time - simply letting them know you're there to listen can make a positive impact on someone's day or their life."
What needs to change: Using the advocacy planning framework, batyr identified that increased awareness about mental health and reduced stigma were needed to improve youth mental health outcomes.
Action taken: They acted upon the opportunity to use mainstream media through donated billboard space and a coordinated social media campaign to reach young people where they are.
Exam tips
Key Points for Exam Success:
When answering questions about youth advocacy:
- Distinguish between the three types of advocacy: Policy advocacy influences government; public advocacy influences public attitudes; community advocacy works with affected communities
- Use specific examples: Reference real organisations like batyr, SANE, beyondblue, or headspace to support your answers
- Apply the four-step framework: When asked to plan advocacy, follow the structure of identifying the issue, determining what needs to change, gathering information, and identifying action opportunities
- Consider youth participation: Always highlight how young people can be actively involved rather than passive recipients
- Link to health outcomes: Connect advocacy actions to specific improvements in health and wellbeing outcomes and equity
Remember!
Essential Takeaways:
- Advocacy promotes the interests of individuals or groups - it gives young people a voice in decisions affecting their health and wellbeing
- There are three main types of advocacy: Policy advocacy (influencing government), public advocacy (influencing public attitudes), and community advocacy (working with affected communities)
- Anyone can be an advocate - you don't need formal qualifications, but you do need consent and support from the group you're representing
- The four-step advocacy planning framework helps structure effective advocacy: identify the focus, determine what needs to change, gather information, and take action
- Youth-led organisations like batyr, WYPIN and SYN demonstrate that young people can effectively advocate for mental health and wellbeing improvements
- Effective advocacy can reduce stigma, improve services, encourage participation and address inequalities in youth health and wellbeing