What if young people felt as comfortable discussing their mental health as they do their favourite music or sport? This was the goal of Youth Insearch’s Brighter Day event held at Vincentia High School—a day dedicated to sparking open conversations, building resilience, and providing students with the resources they need to understand their mental health and seek support when needed.

On Thursday, 20th February 2025, Vincentia High School hosted the Brighter Day event in partnership with Youth Insearch and Firefly Bay & Basin. The event created a safe, welcoming space for students to engage with mental health topics and feel empowered to seek help when necessary.

A Day of Empowering Activities

The Brighter Day event featured a range of activities that focused on normalising conversations around mental health, promoting well-being, and connecting students with local services.

Field of Hearts Activity

One of the standout activities was the Field of Hearts. Students were encouraged to write positive affirmations about what they say to themselves or what helps them when they feel down. These words of encouragement and self-compassion were turned into a heart-shaped display on the oval. This powerful visual served as a reminder of the strength and support that surrounds the students. The heart display was also reminiscent of the heart installation at walawaani ngarn, the well-being space at Vincentia High School, a symbol of mental health awareness and community.

Information Session with Youth Insearch

Wellbeing Market

At lunch, the Wellbeing Market took place, where local mental health service providers, including Youth Insearch, Firefly Bay & Basin, Lives Lived Well, and Headspace Nowra, set up booths for students and staff to learn more about the resources available to support mental health. This initiative provided an opportunity for everyone to connect with local services and gain practical advice on how to access help when needed.

A Powerful Perspective

16-year-old Harrie, a newly accredited Youth Insearch Leader, shared her heartfelt perspective on the importance of mental health awareness:

“Mental health awareness is so important to me because I’ve seen firsthand how many young people in my life have struggled in silence. Brighter Day reminds us that we’re not alone and that help is out there if we reach out.”

The Need for Early Intervention

The event underscored an alarming statistic: nearly 1 in 4 young Australians will experience mental health challenges before reaching adulthood. This highlights the importance of early intervention and the need for stronger community support to guide young people through these difficult times.

The Brighter Day event provided an interactive and supportive environment where students were encouraged to break the silence surrounding mental health, share their experiences, and connect with available resources. This initiative is part of a broader effort to address youth mental health and reduce the stigma surrounding it.

A Collaborative Effort to Support Youth Mental Health

The success of this event is a powerful reminder of the impact that community collaboration can have on mental health awareness. By partnering with organisations like Youth Insearch and local mental health services, we can create more opportunities for young people to access the help and support they need.

As we continue to promote these important conversations, we encourage all members of the community—students, families, and service providers—to stay engaged, advocate for mental health awareness, and continue working together to provide young people with the tools they need to thrive.

At Firefly Bay & Basin, we are proud to have collaborated with Youth Insearch to bring this event to life and remain committed to supporting local youth in every way we can.