Conference Papers
Session H3.4. Supporting youth health and wellbeing
1. Michelle Noon: Youthbeyondblue and Indigenous Hip Hop Projects (IHHP) partnership and evaluation
Beyondblue was established in 2000 by the Australian and Victorian Governments to respond to high levels of depression and anxiety though increasing awareness and reducing any associated stigma. Youthbeyondblue is a beyondblue initiative which aims to help those aged between 12 and 25. Youthbeyondblue has successfully partnered with Indigenous Hip Hop Projects (IHHP) since 2007. IHHP work in rural and remote indigenous communities with an arts-based program, the duration of which can vary from a week long residential to a workshop at a festival. Their aim is to engage young people, through music and dance, to help develop positive mental health and leadership skills. beyondblue’s key youth messages of Look, Listen, Talk and Seek Help Together are pivotal themes. During the partnership, over 100 communities have been visited in every State and Territory in Australia. In 2009, beyondblue commissioned a research team headed by Professor Colleen Haywood from Edith Cowan University (ECU) in Western Australia to conduct an evaluation to determine the effectiveness and impact of IHHP on young people. The evaluation had four primary objectives: 1) Examine the extent to which young people in regional and remote communities respond positively to the health promotion messages of IHH; 2) Identify the relationship between young people’s knowledge of beyondblue’s key messages and their preventive behaviours such as supporting one another, seeking help and choosing appropriate life strategies; 3) Evaluate the change in profile of beyondblue and health services as a result of the IHHP visit; 4) Describe and measure the impact of activities implemented by IHHP. A mixed methodology was used, involving focus groups and interviews of young people and interviews with local stakeholders about the IHHP program in which they had all been involved. This presentation will explain beyondblue, its partnership with IHHP and the recent evaluation findings.
Author bio: Michelle Noon is the Youth Program Manager at beyondblue: the national depression initiative. She manages a range of programs that raise awareness of young people’s mental health concerns and provide early intervention and prevention strategies. Michelle has previously worked as a consultant across state and federal governments, and for Victoria Police. Michelle is a criminologist with a background in service delivery management for diverse and high-need clients, turning policy into practice and the development of evidenced-based strategic direction. Michelle’s recent academic research has examined the effects of culture on the conceptualisation of crime, and attributions of group and individual responsibility.
2. Presentation and workshop by Indigenous HipHop
Indigenous Hip Hop Projects (IHHP) is in all elements of hip hop, media, entertainment and performing arts, who have been working extensively in Aboriginal communities around Australia since 2004. IHHP celebrates the fusion of traditional Indigenous culture and hip hop, facilitating workshops that provide performance skills, leading up to events with performance, community strengthening, community educational and health outcomes. IHHP promotes self expression through movement, music and art, boosting morale and confidence and promoting positive social behaviors in remote communities. IHHP provides opportunities, role models, inspirations and collaborations for youth in remote regional and urban areas. IHHP is developing young Indigenous leaders through mentoring and up skilling in areas of Media, Arts, Entertainment and Event Production. IHHP works closely with elders, schools, local health services, and local councils to introduce skills and resources to enable long term, sustainable, community development.