Vic Youth Groups Receive Funding

The theme for this year's National Youth Week is 'Imagine. Create. Inspire.' Photo courtesy Youth Central.

A number of Victorian Not for Profit youth organisations have been granted funding from the Victorian Government as part of National Youth Week.

The Minister for Youth Affairs, Ryan Smith, announced more than $164,000 in funding for 82 organisations planning activities to coincide with National Youth Week, including Not for Profit groups YouthWorx Media, St Kilda Youth Services Inc and Arabic Welfare Incorporated.

Minister Smith said that 'Imagine. Create. Inspire.' is the theme of this year's National Youth Week, which will be held from April 13-22.

"I look forward to seeing what happens when young Victorians 'Imagine. Create. Inspire.' during National Youth Week 2012," Smith said.

The National Youth Week grants are a joint partnership between the Victorian Government, the Federal Government and youthbeyondblue.

The Minister for Mental Health, Mary Wooldridge, said beyondblue's contribution of $40,000 will be targeted towards events raising awareness amongst young people about depression and anxiety.

"Around 160,000 young people aged 16 to 24 live with depression each year,” Wooldridge said.

“It's important through events such as National Youth Week that we provide creative ways to raise awareness of this important health issue."

Acting chief executive of beyondblue Clare Shann said beyondblue was proud to be supporting National Youth Week.

"Since 2006, we've been getting the message out to young Australians that depression and anxiety are common and that help is available,” Shann said.

“There's no need to be ashamed of the way you're feeling or try to manage things on your own. Keeping it to yourself only makes things worse."

Stephanie Raike is the National Youth Week Victorian Young Member. Photo courtesey Youth Central

Victorian Young Member, 21-year-old Stephanie Raike, is representing the state on the NYW National Planning Group, which shapes the week across Australia.

"We all have a role to play whether it's being a netball coach, volunteering with the Salvation Army or being informed about issues impacting young people and then doing something to make a difference," said Raike, who has been a member of Not for Profit organisations The Oaktree Foundation, the Youth Advisory Council of Victoria (YACVic) and Amnesty International.

“There are so many ways to participate in your community you just have to get out there and hold nothing back."

National Youth Week is happening right across Australia. For information on what’s happening in your state, visit the National Youth Week website.