A two-day conference focusing on youth mental health and wellbeing is to be held in Invercargill next month (10-11 May).

Organised by Te Rourou, One Aotearoa Foundation, the free conference and workshops are designed to offer professional development and capability building for those working in the local youth sector.

Te Rourou Community Catalyst Mandy Smith said getting kaimahi (staff) to events around Aotearoa wasn’t always an option.

"Since we started, we’ve heard that those working in the sector needed more access to, and support for, professional and personal development. We decided to bring the workshops to the sector,” Smith said.

The conference will include keynote speakers Matt and Sarah Brown, who work in a range of programmes focusing on domestic violence and intergenerational cycles of abuse, and Professor Anna Brown of Toi Āria who was the lead researcher on the mental health and wellbeing in Murihiku report.

Workshops will include presenters from around Aotearoa who will talk to a variety of topics around positive youth development, mental health and wellbeing, and working with youth. 

“We’re always looking at how we can reduce barriers for youth, as well as for the organisations that work with youth."

"Bridging the gap in resources for our community, be it a lack of time to plan and host these events, or a lack of funds to attend is a priority for us."

"We don’t want anyone to miss out,” Smith said.

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