Society’s ‘forgotten’ teenagers – suffering from trauma caused by death, abuse or neglect – will have more access to help thanks to a $360,000 boost.
Trauma-recovery foundation Youth Insearch operates across the country, providing individual and peer support to people aged 12-25.
The Logan branch of the organisation was last week gifted hundreds of thousands of dollars from the federal government to fund more programs and support.
Over the next two years, the funding will help more than 90 vulnerable young people reconnect with their community, school, training, or employment, as well as improve their mental health and build resilience.
CEO Stephen Lewin said the grant was a huge boost for Youth Insearch and young people in Logan.
“This funding allows us to expand and strengthen our work in Logan, where the need is particularly urgent,” he said.
“With this support, we can bring more lived experience peer workers and clinicians on board.
“This means we can do so much more to help young people in Logan who are living with trauma, which has been caused by a number of reasons, including neglect, abuse, family violence, bullying or death of family or friends.”
The Youth Insearch team refers to these young people as the “forgotten middle”.
“They are not missing, they have been forgotten by the traditional system which does not meet their needs, and so they cannot heal,” Mr Lewin said.
“Lived experience and peer workers assisting clinicians provide a solution.”
Youth Insearch has worked with around 32,000 at-risk youth since 1985, helping them to overcome trauma and mental health issues, and protecting them from suicide, drug and alcohol abuse, and delinquency.
“We ask ‘what has happened to you?’ rather than ‘whats wrong with you?’,” Mr Lewin said.
“Aside from traditional clinical methods, what sets us apart is our belief in the power of young people helping other young people.”
He said this approach complemented clinical care by providing a safe space for young people to connect with peers who “truly understand their experiences”.
“It’s simple but so powerful—young people are more likely to open up to someone who’s been in their shoes, who speaks their language, and who gets it.
“The results speak for themselves.”
More than 80% of the youth who join Youth Insearch’s programs report making significant positive changes in their lives.
“At the end of the day, our vision is for every young person in Australia to have access to this kind of peer-led support,” Mr Lewin said.
“This investment is a significant step toward turning that vision into reality, starting in Logan and extending beyond.”
