No. 143, July 2008: Australian Clearinghouse for Youth Studies

ACYS > Youth Field Xpress > Index > No. 143, July 2008

Part 1, July 2008

Youth Field Xpress n.143, July 2008

The editor of this newsletter is taking stock of things!

The editor of YFX is gathering items of note reflecting the past twenty years in youth affairs: short snippets about what initiatives have come and gone, what progress you believe has been made in some areas of the field, what reports changed things for you in your practice of youth work or in your research (maybe, for instance, the Enabling State report from the Youth Research Centre, or the "ARE WE THERE YET? conference last year). Maybe what struck you is a major initiative that is now up and running -- e.g. it is almost two years to the day that headspace, Australia's youth mental health foundation, was launched. Maybe it was one of this clearinghouse's youth symposia held in the 90s that set you on your career path. Whatever it might be, please send in your "highlights" by the 10th August to the YFX editor, via email: anne.hugo[at]utas.edu.au Please keep your contribution to 100 words max. Thanks!

Talking of careers in youth research: why not consider subscribing to our journal, 'Youth Studies Australia' as an investment in your own personal professional development or continuing education -- for only $88 per year (hard copy edition -- includes online access if you subscribe as an individual or as a school). The journal will add to your stock of essential reference sources on youth research and practice.

Subscriptions to the journal are vitally important as a means of support for this clearinghouse: every subscription to the journal counts towards the production of the journal itself, this newsletter, our website, our Facts and Stats service, and our publishing arm. If you don't sign up yourself, do ask your project manager, city council, librarian or lecturer to arrange a subscription.

Each edition of the journal is accompanied by an online 'Education Extra' supplement: a two-page summary of that edition of the journal's education-related content. 'Education Extra' is an easy way for those in the education sector to stay current with the latest education-related news as seen from a youth studies perspective. Read more below in the EDUCATION section of this edition of the newsletter, or view the website at: http://www.acys.info/journal/education_extra
Inquire about the journal itself and subscribe! Phone us on (03) 6226 2591.

WORLD YOUTH DAY

For coverage of World Youth Day in Australia, do visit the internet website,
Yahoo!

ATTITUDES AND OPINIONS

Girl Guides have their say

In April, Girl Guides Australia released their 'What girls say' report, outlining results from a survey of the local, national and global concerns of their members. About 4,500 Girl Guides aged 5-17 years took part in the survey, which asked them to name their top three issues of concern. Water conservation was the issue of most concern for 21 per cent of participants, followed by global warming (19 per cent), the environment (18 per cent), poverty (15 per cent), addictions (to smoking, gambling and alcohol -- 8 per cent), and animal cruelty (8 per cent). See: http://www.guidesaus.org.au/page.php?pageid=21#AustralianGuidesSay (Source: 'Sydney Morning Herald', 28 April 2008, p.5.)

BULLYING

Cyber-bullying

The May 2008 edition of 'Education Review' contains an article outlining the growing phenomenon of cyber-bullying, and what teachers can do about it. Written by Mike Lenyon, the training and program coordinator of the Stride Foundation, the article covers issues such as out-of-school incidents, the demonisation of technology, the trivialising of cyber-bullying incidents, the lack of empathy and inhibition displayed by cyber-bullies, and the legal penalties for cyber-bullying. Stride Foundation is a Victorian-based organisation dedicated to helping to improve the physical, mental and social wellbeing of young people and their communities. For further information about Stride, visit http://www.stride.org.au (Source: 'Education Review', v.18, n.3, May 2008, p.16.)

CARE AND PROTECTION

Developing a road map for research

The latest paper in the National Child Protection Clearinghouse's 'Child Abuse Prevention Issues' series (n.28, 2008) is titled 'Developing a road map for research: Identifying the priorities for a national child protection research agenda'. Written by Dr Leah Bromfield (National Child Protection Clearinghouse, Australian Institute of Family Studies) and Dr Fiona Arney (Australian Centre for Child Protection, University of South Australia), the paper summarises and synthesises the "ongoing, concentrated body of work" that has taken place in Australia over the past four years towards the development of a national child protection research agenda and the translation of this agenda into policy and practice, as well as examining national research priorities identified by other countries with similar models of child protection. The authors draw this information together to "identify the challenges and opportunities, and the priorities, for the development of a national child protection research agenda". The paper is available for download from the NCPC website: http://www.aifs.gov.au/nch (Source: Bromfield, L. and Arney, F. 2008, 'Developing a road map for research: Identifying the priorities for a national child protection research agenda', Child Abuse Prevention Issues, n.28.)

CAREERS

National Youth Careers and Transitions Advisory Group

The National Youth Careers and Transitions Advisory Group (NYCTAG) provides ministerial assistance in progressing the national careers and transitions agenda for young Australians. NYCTAG develops advice on strategic issues including matters affecting young people's successful transitions in relation to learning and education, and issues regarding enterprise, vocational and career education. For further information about NYCTAG, visit http://www.dest.gov.au/sectors/career_development/policy_issues_reviews/key_issues/nyctag (Source: NYCTAG website, viewed 10 July 2008.)

CRIME AND JUSTICE

Cyber-victimisation in Australia: Extent, impact on individuals and responses

The Tasmanian Institute of Law Enforcement Studies (TILES) publishes regular Briefing Papers on topics related to the institute's research program. The sixth Briefing Paper, prepared by Dr Lynne Roberts of Curtin University of Technology, introduces readers to the impact that cyber-crime has on its individual victims, its prevalence and how we, as a society, respond to it. It also examines legal, technical, regulatory, educational and professional responses to cyber-crime and cyber-victims. Copies of the paper may be downloaded from the TILES website at: http://www.utas.edu.au/tiles/ (Source: 'TILES Briefing Paper' n.6, June 2008, http://www.utas.edu.au/tiles/)

DISABILITIES

Research to tell the stories of students with disabilities and extreme behaviours

The Australian Primary Principals Association has commissioned a researcher to conduct school-based research highlighting the challenges faced by educators required to support students with disabilities or extreme behaviours. This research, due for completion in the next few weeks, will tell the stories of the students and the teachers and will be used to illustrate the findings of APPA's 2007 report 'In the balance: The future of Australia's primary schools'. The 'In the balance' report had found that while the number of students with disabilities in mainstream schools doubled in the last decade, some schools get almost no support for students with disabilities, and others wait for long periods for assessment. For more information about the APPA's 'In the balance' report, visit http://www.appa.asn.au/reports/?IntCatId=18 (Source: 'Education Review', v.18, n.4, June 2008, p.3.)

DRUGS

Youth and alcohol: Challenging the stereotype

This short article by Dr Clarissa Hughes in the July issue of the magazine, 'Of Substance' briefly outlines the social norms approach to health promotion. "Rather than focusing on risk and perpetuating the stereotype of the 'bingeing teen', it supports and affirms young people by focusing on the healthy choices about alcohol that most of them make, most of the time. Dr Hughes is co-author of an article in the most recent edition of 'Youth Studies Australia', titled, 'Harnessing the power of perception: Reducing alcohol-related harm among rural teenagers' (by Clarissa Hughes, Roberta Julian, Matthew Richman, Ron Mason and Gillian Long, 2008, 'Youth Studies Australia', v.27, n.2, pp.26-35. (Source: 'Of Substance' (an initiative of the Australian National Council on Drugs) v.6, n.3, 2008, p.23; and 'Youth Studies Australia' online edition, June 2008, viewed 18 July 2008.)

Teen Challenge opens its doors in Tasmania

Tasmania's first youth-specific residential therapeutic drug treatment program, Teen Challenge opens for business in the peaceful village of Ellendale on the slopes of Mt Field on Monday, 4 August 2008. The location had been a retreat centre for many years. For details, contact Bob Engwicht of Live Free Tassie / Teen Challenge Tasmania Inc, ph: 0411 073 095.

EDUCATION

On Track survey shows more students are deferring higher education

A growing proportion of students are choosing to defer university studies or take up apprenticeships, according to new research from the Victorian government. The research shows that a lower proportion of those who complete Year 12 are enrolling in tertiary studies, with many young people, particularly those from rural areas, deferring studies to work for a year to become eligible for youth allowance and cover living costs.

The annual On Track survey, conducted by the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) for the Victorian Department of Education and Early Childhood Development, surveyed more than 33,000 young people who completed the Victorian Certificate of Education, the International Baccalaureate, or the Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning (Intermediate or Senior). (Source: ACER 'e-news', June 2008, viewed 18 July 2008, http://www.acer.edu.au/enews/0806_OnTrack.html )

Australian Statistics Poster Competition

This competition encourages students to experience learning and decision making through the collection and analysis of data. Students participating in the competition will observe the importance of mathematics for identifying patterns and associations which form the basis for real-world learning and decision making. The overall process of developing, conducting and reporting the data-based project will encourage students' creativity, planning, teamwork, accuracy, mathematics and computing skills, mathematical and statistical thinking, and clarity of communication. As a project-based activity, the competition fits well into chance and data streams of school mathematics courses. Participants will receive positive feedback through certificates, commendations for excellence and even cash prizes for state and national winners.

The competition is run by academics from seven universities and administered by the Australian Mathematics Trust. The entry fee, including GST, is $19.80 per team of 2 or 3 students. Entries are due by 12 September 2008. Further information about the competition, including ideas for projects and a guide to statistical analysis, is available at
http://www.usq.edu.au/statscomp/ideas/default.htm

The Australian Bureau of Statistics, one of the competition sponsors, has produced a paper on the use of statistics in scientific investigations that may be of use to students participating in this competition. It is available from the ABS website at:
http://tinyurl.com/69r6zg
(Source: University of Southern Queensland 2008, Australian Statistics Poster Competition website, viewed 17 July 2008,
http://www.usq.edu.au/statscomp/ideas/default.htm ; Australian Bureau of Statistics 2008, 'Education News', July, viewed 17 July,
http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/mf/1330.0?OpenDocument#Article7 )

Time to care: Young carers and education

This is the title of an article on young carers -- young people who are required to care for a relative with an illness, disability or other chronic health issue -- published in the June 2008 edition of 'Professional Educator'. Its authors are Tim Moore, a youth worker and research fellow with the Institute of Child Protection Studies at the Australian Catholic University, and Dr Morag McArthur, a human services researcher and founding director of the Institute of Child Protection Studies. The article outlines the findings of the authors' 2005 national study into how caring affects students' education. Published in 2006 as 'Reading, writing and responsibility: Young carers and education', the study found that 'young carers highly value their education and the opportunities that participating in schools provides'. However, it also found that "each of the young carers interviewed felt that they were unable to achieve their potential at school because of difficulties they faced in getting to school and fully participating when they were there". According to the authors, for young carers to achieve in their education, schools, teachers and community organisations need to appreciate that there are strong links between a young person's family situation, their responsibilities, their participation in schools, their achievement and their overall health and wellbeing, and so too, services need to take into consideration the needs of young carers and their family situation. To read the full report, see: http://tinyurl.com/6798h3 (Source: 'Professional Educator', v.7, n.2, June 2008, pp.34-38.)

Education Extra

To coincide with each edition of the journal 'Youth Studies Australia', ACYS produces 'Education Extra', a two-page PDF containing a summary of an education-related paper published in the journal, as well as extracts from the journal's Youth Monitor and Abstracts columns, which summarise recent education-related news from metropolitan daily newspapers and research papers published in other journals respectively. 'Education Extra' provides those in the education sector with an easy way to keep up with the latest education-related news and research, and it can also be used as a classroom resource for senior secondary classes. 'Education Extra' is available free of charge from the ACYS website at: http://www.acys.info/journal/education_extra

EMPLOYMENT

Complex, not simple: The VET pathway from welfare to work

'Complex not simple: The vocational education and training pathway from welfare to work' is the title of a National Vocational Education and Training Research and Evaluation Program report researched and compiled by Kate Barnett and John Spoehr from the Australian Institute for Social Research at the University of Adelaide. In an article on this report, published in the June 2008 edition of 'Professional Educator', the authors say that their research found that 'VET can provide a pathway to employment for disadvantaged students if the training addresses students' needs in a holistic way, rather than focusing on training-specific needs, and includes, where necessary, a preparatory pathway prior to engagement with mainstream VET programs to assist the achievement of effective training outcomes'. To view the full report, visit the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) website: http://www.ncver.edu.au/publications/1987.html (Source: 'Professional Educator', v.7, n.2, June 2008, pp.28-31.)

FAMILIES

Keys to living together

The Australian Government Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA) has produced a series of family relationships resources designed to help families through three important periods of change: couples moving in together ('Taking the first step'), couples preparing to have their first child ('Then we were three'), and couples who have formed step or blended families ('Instant families'). As well as dealing with specific issues, the 'Keys to living together' kits cover issues central to any couple relationship, such as dealing with finances, conflict resolution and communicating effectively. Each kit contains an interactive DVD and a booklet containing information and activities that family members can complete together. To order a free copy of the full kit, phone: 1800 050 009 or email: keys[AT]fahcsia.gov.au For further information, visit the FaHCSIA website: http://www.facsia.gov.au/internet/facsinternet.nsf/family/keys_info.htm (FaHCSIA website, viewed 11 July 2008.)

GAMBLING

The Gambling Hangover Campaign in NSW

In early July, the NSW Government announced a new $1.8 million state-wide public awareness campaign aimed at young males, aged 18-24, who are problem gamblers. Young men in this age group are said to experience problem gambling at four times the rate of the rest of the population, and were often the least likely to ask for help, according to Mission Australia, one of NSW's leading providers of gambling counselling and support services. The Gambling Hangover Campaign is organised by the Responsible Gambling Fund, and is focused on the feelings of guilt and regret that often surface among problem gamblers. It encourages young men to either connect with a counselling service, SMS '199 LIMIT' for information, or to look at the website:
http://www.gamblinghangover.nsw.gov.au
Young people affected by gambling can also access their local counselling service by phoning (02) 4927 0196. Friends or family of gamblers are also encouraged to access the service if they want to help them.

GENDER

'Education systems are failing our boys and young men'

"The gender gap between boys and girls for participation in Year 12 and higher education has continued to widen" according to an article in the July issue of the 'YAPRap' newsletter, which is taken from the 'Sydney Morning Herald'. The article states that, "between 1993 and 1999, the proportion of female enrolments at university increased from 53.3% to 55.2%, while male enrolments decreased from 46.7% to 44.8% ... Given that the academic outcomes for girls were turned around in less than 10 years, it is worrying that 15 years after the first report on boys' education, the situation for boys is deteriorating ...". (Source: 'YAPRap', v.18, n.7, July 2008, p.4.)

HEALTH

"The health and wellbeing of young Australians, an important indicator of Australia's future population health, is declining. This development is of immense social significance, with implications for national priorities and every aspect of public policy." (Richard Eckersley, 2020 Summit submission of the consortium, Australia 21: read Richard's entire submission in the supplement to this edition of Youth Field Xpress.

Young people's health: Declaration of Hobart

As mentioned in the previous edition of this newsletter, the Youth Health Research Interest Group workshop of the Australian National GP and PHC Research Conference, meeting in Hobart in June 2008, issued a declaration "expressing the need for urgent action by the Australian Federal Government and all State Governments, all health workers and the Australian community to protect and promote the health of all Australian young people, hereby makes the following declaration." The declaration was composed by delegates to the June 2008 GP and Primary Health Care Research Conference, at the workshop on "Health for all young people: research, practice and policy implications". The declaration forms part of a supplement to this edition of 'Youth Field Xpress'.

HOMELESSNESS

Reflections on the Rudd government's Green Paper on homelessness

The June 2008 edition of 'Parity', magazine of the Council to Homeless People, reflects on the Australian Government's Green Paper on homelessness, 'Which way home? A new approach to homelessness' (launched by Prime Minister Rudd in May). The 'Partiy' article contains both information on the Green Paper itself as well as responses to the paper from those working in the homelessness and social housing sectors. Papers include ' "Which way home?" Too many gatekeepers to circuitous and craggy paths?' by Dr Rodney Fopp from the University of South Australia, and 'Alice through the Green Paper looking glass: Towards an option four', by Claire Nyblom and Dr Shelley Mallett from Melbourne Citymission. 'Parity' is available online at http://www.chp.org.au/parity (Source: 'Parity', v.21, n.5, June 2008.)

National Youth Commission inquiry

In April 2008, the National Youth Commission released the results of its independent inquiry into youth homelessness in Australia. In May 2008, Kevin Rudd released the Australian Government's Green Paper titled 'Which way home? A new approach to homelessness'. Warren Gardiner, from the Council of Social Service of NSW, outlines the findings of the NYC inquiry, explains the difference between the Australian Government's Green Paper (a discussion paper) and the forthcoming White Paper (a policy paper) and discusses some of the issues of relevance to NSW in the government's response to youth homelessness. (Source: 'YAPRap', v.18, n.7, July 2008, pp.13-14.)

INDIGENOUS ISSUES

Through young black eyes handbook: 2007 update

The Secretariat of National Aboriginal and Islander Child Care (SNAICC) is the national non government peak body in Australia representing the interests of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families. SNAICC recently announced the release of an updated edition of 'Through young black eyes: A handbook to protect children from the impact of family violence and child abuse: 2007 edition' - part of a series of resources developed in 1993. 'Through young black eyes' is a manual to help services working with Aboriginal and Torres strait Islander communities, children and families to identify, understand and deal with child abuse and neglect and family violence. SNAICC believes the resource will help communities to develop educational activities and prevention programs to stop the abuse, neglect and violence occurring in communities. It can be purchased in hard copy from SNAICC for $25 (inclusive of GST, postage and handling) or downloaded from SNAICC's website: http://www.snaicc.asn.au/publications
SNAICC will soon publish the 'Through young black eyes workshop kit' which will contain a 'Workshop facilitators guide', a copy of 'Through young black eyes handbook: 2007 update' and a range of other audio-visual and print resources to assist community organisations to develop their own educational activities and prevention programs. For more information, visit: http://www.snaicc.asn.au/publications
(Source: SNAICC circular, 26 June 2008).

Diversion of Indigenous juvenile offenders

In June 2008, the Australian Institute of Criminology released this 'Trends and Issues in Crime and Criminal Justice' series paper. Lucy Snowball, a senior research officer at the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research, investigated possible reasons why Indigenous young offenders appear much less likely to be diverted from courts into cautioning and conferences than their non-Indigenous counterparts. She found that rates of diversion remained statistically significant after controlling for age, sex, characteristics of the current case and prior criminal history of the offender. Snowball believes that it is impossible to say whether the residual differences are symptomatic of racial bias or reflective of other factors unable to be measured in this study. She suggests further research is needed into the reasons for the high reconviction rates among Indigenous offenders and notes that it would not be surprising if social and economic factors associated with offending in Indigenous adults were also important factors in Indigenous juvenile offending.
This research paper can be downloaded as a pdf or ordered as a hard copy from the AIC website at: http://www.aic.gov.au/publications/tandi2/tandi355.html (Source: Snowball, L. 2008 'Diversion of Indigenous juvenile offenders', Trends and Issues in Crime and Criminal Justice series, n.355, June 2008.)

National Indigenous Representative Body

The Australian Government is seeking the views of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people on a proposed National Indigenous Representative Body. The Department of Families, Housing, Communities and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA) will be conducting consultation meetings in every state and the Northern Territory, including remote locations, from end of July until the end of August 2008. Consultations in regional areas will also cater for attendees from remote locations. Written submissions can also be provided. The closing date for written submissions is 19 September 2008. See the FaHCSIA website at:
http://www.fahcsia.gov.au/internet/facsinternet.nsf/indigenous/repbody.htm

Promising practices in out-of-home care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander carers, children and young people: Strengths and barriers

The Australian Government Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA) commissioned the National Child Protection Clearinghouse to undertake a project examining the strengths and barriers to the recruitment, assessment, training and support of carers of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children. The project, which was carried out on behalf of the Australian Council for Children and Parenting, resulted in seven summary papers, online at: http://www.aifs.gov.au/nch/pubs/reports/promisingpractices/summarypapers/menu.html (Source: 'National Child Protection Clearinghouse Newsletter', v.16, n.1, 2008, p.9.)

Reflections on the SNAICC conference and the tenth anniversary of the 'Bringing them home' report

The latest edition of the newsletter of the National Child Protection Clearinghouse contains some reflections by NCPC manager Dr Leah Bromfield on the Secretariat of National Aboriginal and Islander Child Care (SNAICC) conference held in Adelaide in September 2007, and on the booklet 'Remember me: Commemorating the tenth anniversary of the "Bringing Them home" report'. Dr Bromfield says the booklet shows that, while the national inquiry and the release of the 'Bringing them home' report was an important event in Australia's history, "we still have a long road to travel to achieve equality of opportunity for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children". (Source: 'NCPC Newsletter', v.16, n.1, 2008, pp.16-17.)

INTERNATIONAL PERSPECTIVES

Britain's youth

'Children and young people now', the UK online magazine covering all issues facing children and young people aged 0 to 19 years, reports on new statistics in the UK that show drinking, smoking and drug use among young people have declined. See: 'Children and young people now', 17 July 2008, at: http://www.cypnow.co.uk/bulletins/Daily-Bulletin/news/832723/?DCMP=EMC-DailyBulletin (viewed 18 July 2008).

In the UK, where just one in eight of the population are aged 16 to 24 years old, young people account for as many as half of all newly diagnosed sexually transmitted infections, according to the UK's Health Protection Agency. See: 'Children and young people now', 16 July 2008, at: http://www.cypnow.co.uk/bulletins/Daily-Bulletin/news/832140/?DCMP=EMC-DailyBulletin (viewed 18 July 2008).

MENTAL HEALTH

Comorbidity Professional Development Scholarships.

The National Centre for Education and Training on Addiction (NCETA) has announced its third round of Comorbidity Professional Development Scholarships, which are open to alcohol and other drug and mental health workers employed in non-government organisations. Details at:
http://www.nceta.flinders.edu.au/projects/comorbidity.html

'Mind your head: Some things you might want to know about drugs and mental health'

This is a new resource for young people struggling with alcohol and drug issues and mental health problems. The 56-page book covers the effects of different drugs on mental health, health concerns such as anxiety, depression, psychotic episodes and suicide, strategies for looking after mental health, and getting help. Its target audience is 15- to 25-year-olds as well as teachers, parents and allied health workers who want to know more about the relationship between mental health and substance use. 'Mind your head' was developed by Moreland Hall, the Nexus Dual Diagnosis Service, and the Substance Use and Mental Illness Treatment Team. Contact Laurence Alvis or Andrew Milnes on (03) 9386 2876. (Source: 'Of Substance', v.6, n.3, 2008, p.9.)

Dual diagnosis dollars: Delivering the goods

Co-occurring mental health and substance use problems -- also known by the terms, comorbidity or dual diagnosis -- have been receiving attention and "new money" in the past three to five years, as Australian governments have sought to improve treatment responses to comormidity. An article in the July issue of the magazine, 'Of Substance' (an initiative of the Australian National Council on Drugs) outlines this expenditure. Two Commonwealth initiatives -- the National Comorbidity Initiative and the Improved Services for People with Drug and Alcohol Problems and Mental Illness initiative (Improved Services) -- represent "the most significant injection of new money to date", and "the challenge now is to develop an integrated national framework across very different service system models and a range of jurisdictions -- state, federal, private -- all of which are currently doing their own thing". The "important role of AOD NGO peak bodies in advocacy, workforce development and sector representation has been recognised by the Improved Services initiative" which funds the peaks in all states and territories ... to develop workers' skills and adapt service delivery models to the diverse needs of people" in those states.

Dual diagnosis conditions are something to which many young people are subject, and are often regarded by some as intractable. However, Gail Ward of the Victorian AOD peak body is optimistic about the future of comorbidity treatment, yet says it is not all about funding: "It's about believing we can make a change for clients/consumers with comorbidity problems. This must remain our central focus." The article includes an overview of comorbidity funding initiatives, a list of references and sources of further information. (Source: 'Of Substance', v.6, n.3, 2008, pp.14-17.)

SANE Australia resources

'Signs' is SANE Australia's new advertising campaign about the early signs of mental illness. In 2007, SANE Australia decided to create a national public awareness campaign about the possible early signs of mental illness. The aim of their 'Signs' campaign is to increase the number of people who feel confident to seek information and advice about mental illness, rather than doing nothing and hoping that the worrying signs will simply 'go away'. The 'Signs' campaign is running nationally throughout 2008, and consists of television, radio, print, outdoor and online ads. Since its launch in January this year, the campaign has already had a dramatic effect, with calls to the SANE Helpline increasing by 40 per cent, and visits to the SANE website (including downloads of Factsheets and requests for online help) have increased by a similar proportion. See, hear and view the 'Signs' campaign ads at http://www.sane.org by selecting 'Campaigns' under the 'Action' menu. You can also request A4 copies of the 'Signs' posters by calling SANE Australia, ph: (03) 9682 5933. (Source: 'SANE News', issue 46, autumn 2008. pp.4-5.)

The SANE Helpline, now in its 10th year of operation, plays a crucial role in providing information, advice and referral for Australians worried about mental illness. During 2007, the helpline provided information and advice to more than 10,000 people, with four out of every 10 callers experiencing symptoms of mental illness themselves. Forty-three per cent of callers to the helpline who asked about treatment for their mental health problem were not receiving any help. Even more concerning was that nearly one in three of those asked (29 per cent) had not discussed their symptoms with a doctor, and hadn't received an assessment or any treatment. Half of all callers were referred for medical attention, and half of these were advised to seek psychological treatment, reflecting the need for such therapy, which is now available under Medicare. As mentioned in the previous YFX item, calls to the SANE Helpline have increased by 40 per cent since the launch of SANE Australia's 'Signs' social advertising campaign. Fore more information about the SANE Helpline, visit http://www.sane.org/helpline/helpline/helpline.html (Source: SANE Australia 2008, 'SANE Helpline 2008: A report on SANE Australia's national mental illness helpline'.)

'SANE guide to medication and other treatments' has been updated, and contains up-to-the minute information about all drug and other therapies for depression, anxiety disorders, and psychotic conditions such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. It also contains updated chapters on community support programs, support for family and friends, and support for individuals dealing with mental illness. Find out more at the SANE Bookshop: http://www.sane.org (Source: 'SANE News', issue 46, autumn 2008. p.6.)

Housing and mental illness is the title of SANE Australia's 'Research bulletin' n. 7, June 2008. People affected by a mental illness are more likely to become homeless than others; they face more barriers to finding housing, yet do not receive the help they need to find and retain housing. A PDF version of the bulletin is available from the SANE website at: http://www.sane.org

MOVEMENTS, CHANGES, MILESTONES

Foundation for Young Australians' CEO, Adam Smith has been selected as one of the six winners of the 2008 AFR Boss Young Executive of the Year competition. Adam was selected from over 60 applications demonstrating career achievements, leadership roles and workplace problem solving. The top 10 applicants were then interviewed by the judges and put through an all day simulation excercise to assess their skills in handling changing leadership scenarios.

On 1 July 2008, the Centre for Multicultural Youth Issues dropped 'Issues' and from its name and officially became the Centre for Multicultural Youth (CMY). Their web address has changed too, and is now: http://www.cmy.net.au/ Their website is a rich source of information and news, well worth the visit.

The Australian Drug Foundation's new CEO is John Rogerson, ADF's deputy CEO for the past ten years. He succeeds Bill Stronach who retired after 18 years at the ADF. Mr Rogerson is behind the Foundation's Good Sports alcohol accreditation program, which includes over 2,200 sporting clubs nationwide and has proved to be a "highly effective strategy for changing drinking behaviour in Australian society". (Source: 'Of Substance', v.6, n.3, 2008, p.9.)

PARTICIPATION

Public achievement in Turkey and beyond

The June 2008 issue of the magazine 'Connect: Supporting student participation' contains a six-page article on the implementation of the Public Achievement (PA) model of sustainable civic engagement in countries in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. PA provides young people with a framework to learn citizenship skills by doing work of real importance in their own communities. It has been successful in all of the schools in Turkey in which it has been implemented. The article describes the PA process, who acts and who benefits, the difference between PA and other civic education models. It also provides examples of PA from Turkey, Palestine, Moldova and Romania. Sedar M. Degirmencioglu, from the Department of Psychology and Public Achievement at Beykent University in Turkey is the author of the article. He is currently Visiting Research Fellow at Victoria University School of Psychology in Melbourne.
(Source: 'Connect: Supporting student participation', n.171, June 2008, pp.3-8.)

The Parliamentary Club

Don Perna from the Constitution Education Fund Australia (CEFA) has written an article in the June 2008 issue of 'Connect' magazine about a new civics education initiative currently spreading to schools around the nation. The Parliamentary Club involves the creation of a "fully functional mini-democracy" in schools complete with a bicameral system of student leadership. The club operates by recruiting members from the whole student body and getting them to divide into political parties. An election is then held within the school and a student House of Representatives is formed. The club then installs a student parliament that sits regularly, introduces legislation and instigates student parliamentary inquiries. CEFA, which is a private provider of civics awards and programs in Australia, has supported the project towards national implementation and has fully funded professional development, training and resource material. For more information, see the CEFA website at: http://www.cefa.org.au or contact Don Perna at dperna[AT]cefa.org.au
(Source: 'Connect: Supporting student participation', n.171, June 2008, pp.20-23.)

POVERTY/SOCIAL DISADVANTAGE

Anti-Poverty Week 2008: 12 to 18 October

Anti-Poverty Week 2008 aims to raise awareness about the causes and consequences of poverty and hardship and to encourage people to take action to address these problems. The organisers are encouraging individuals or groups to arrange or participate in activities during the week. Anti-Poverty Week is coordinated by a national facilitating group made up of representatives from more than 20 national organisations and social welfare services that are involved in reducing poverty and hardship both in Australia and overseas.For further information, ideas and resources, visit the Anti-Poverty Week website: http://www.antipovertyweek.org.au; email: apw[AT]antipovertyweek.org.au ; or ph: 1300 797 290. (Source: Anti-Poverty Week website, viewed 1 July 2008.)

Youth poverty continues

In the latest newsletter of the Youth Action and Policy Association, 'YAPRap', John Ferguson, a former YAPA Policy and Training Officer, writes of a new YAPA call for a government inquiry into "the poverty and disadvantage that is leaving far too many young people behind". Ferguson notes that YAPA's major research project for 2008 found the "multiple disadvantage experienced by some young people has not been solved despite the economic growth of the last decade". He notes that basic infrastructure is missing for these young people, especially housing options and transport, and that they require better access to dental and mental health services. Download the report from: http://www.yapa.org.au/yapa/policy (Source: 'YAPRap', v.18, n.7, July 2008, p.6.)

PROGRAMS

Investing In Our Youth

Investing In Our Youth (IIOY) is a not-for-profit organisation that works with government and non-government agencies in the south west of Western Australia. Its vision is to work towards a healthy and safe community environment for all young people to develop their full potential by building strong relationships and valued participation in communities. IIOY provides research infrastructure support for the child and youth sector in south-west WA, works as an intermediary agency to connect organisations and communities, and supports prevention and early intervention programs and activities that target children and young people. For further information, contact IIOY, ph: (08) 9721 6951; email: iioy[AT]iinet.net.au; website: http://www.investinginouryouth.com.au (Source: Investing In Our Youth brochure, viewed 11 July 2008.)

REFUGEE YOUTH

Newly arrived refugee communities and driving

This is the title of a broadsheet from the Refugee Health Research Centre, at LaTrobe University. It deals with the issue of driving and refugees who have recently arrived in Australia, and reports on some of the challenges these individuals face, especially those from African communities. Insights into strategies for improving driver safety are derived from two studies: the 'Good Starts for Refugee Youth' study, and a LaTrobe University honours thesis titled 'Road and driver safety in the Victorian Sudanese community: Exploring the issue from perspectives of service providers.' (Source: 'Newly arrived refugee communities and driving', broadsheet n.7, May 2008, Refugee Health Research Centre, LaTrobe University,
http://www.latrobe.edu.au/rhrc/refugee_youth.html, viewed 18 July 2008).

Good Starts Study for Refugee Youth

The Good Starts Study for Refugee Youth is being conducted by a team from the Refugee Health Research Centre at La Trobe University and the Victorian Foundation for Survivors of Torture. The study's twofold aims are first, to identify the key factors (or social determinants) that help young people to make a healthy start in their new country, and second, to describe in depth the factors, contexts, settings and social processes that support, enhance and facilitate the health and wellbeing of a "dislocated and traumatised population of youth". The longitudinal study will involve 120 newly arrived refugee youth aged 11 to 19 years, who will be tracked over a four-year period. For further information, visit http://www.latrobe.edu.au/rhrc/refugee_youth.html (Source: Refugee Health Research Centre website, viewed 11 July 2008.)

RESEARCH

Positive psychology and adolescent well-being study

Positive psychology is a field of study that investigates how individuals can use their strengths and perception that life is meaningful to overcome life's challenges and increase their mental health. A positive psychology study is underway at Monash University, where researchers are seeking to identify what factors contribute to flourishing, or high functioning, in young people and to see how the well-being and mental health of adolescents can be improved by teaching those characteristics of to adolescents. More details: contact Jacolyn Norrish, email: jacolyn.norrish[at]med.monash.edu.au or Dr Dianne Vella-Brodrick on Dianne.Vella-Brodrick[at]med.monash.edu.au

RIGHTS

HREOC website update on immigration, refugees and asylum seekers

The new webpages at the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission include a what's new section, a new factsheet on the impact of bridging visas restrictions on asylum seekers, a section of questions and answers on immigration detention and human rights, and on asylum seekers, refugees and human rights. Finally there is a page of links to the range of HREOC work related to immigration, asylum seekers and refugees. See:
http://www.humanrights.gov.au/human_rights/immigration/index.html

International competition: What do students think about privacy?

As part of Privacy Awareness Week (24-30 August 2008), the Asia Pacific Privacy Authorities (APPA) are holding an international competition for secondary school students. In keeping with the theme, 'Privacy is your business', students are invited to create a video about any aspect of privacy, such as their opinion of its relevance in today's society, how it does or does not affect them in their daily life, and the influence that the internet has had on privacy. The competition closes on 25 July 2008. The winner will be announced during Privacy Awareness Week. More details at: http://www.privacyawarenessweek.org (Source: APPA media release, viewed 10 July 2008.)

RURAL YOUTH

Rural youth participation

Helen Machalias is a member of the NSW Youth Advisory Council, and lives in Armidale in North West New South Wales. In the July 2008 issue of 'YAPRap', she takes the opportunity afforded by the formation of the Australian Youth Forum to talk about the problems of participation for rural young people. She points out that while rural people make up 36% of the nation's population, rural young people have reduced access to a range of resources and opportunities. She is also concerned that the youth movement in general doesn't sufficiently support the needs of rural young people and concludes with a wish for a federal rural youth advisory group. She adds, "I would settle for an Australian Youth Forum that ensures that people who are geographically isolated are not also excluded from voicing their opinions". (Source: 'YAPRap', v.18, n.7, July 2008, p.7.)

STATISTICS

Australian Statistics Poster Competition

The Australian Statistics Poster Competition encourages students to experience learning and decision making through the collection and analysis of data. As a project-based activity, the competition fits well into chance and data streams of school mathematics courses. The competition is run by academics from seven universities and administered by the Australian Mathematics Trust. The entry fee, including GST, is $19.80 per team of 2 or 3 students. Entries are due by 12 September 2008. Further information about the competition, including ideas for projects and a guide to statistical analysis, is available at http://www.usq.edu.au/statscomp/ideas/default.htm

The Australian Bureau of Statistics, one of the competition sponsors, has produced a paper on the use of statistics in scientific investigations that may be of use to students participating in this competition. It is avaiable from the ABS website at: http://tinyurl.com/69r6zg (Source: University of Southern Queensland 2008, Australian Statistics Poster Competition website, viewed 17 July 2008, http://www.usq.edu.au/statscomp/ideas/default.htm ; Australian Bureau of Statistics 2008, 'Education News', July, viewed 17 July, http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/mf/1330.0?OpenDocument#Article7 )

'Australian Social Trends' due out on Wednesday 23 July

'Australian Social Trends' is the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) annual analysis of Australian society will be released on Wednesday 23 July at 11.30 am (AEST). The 250-page report is a valuable reference on Australia's current social conditions and "provides a rich source of story material for both news and feature writers". Announcing the release date, ABS says this year, the report includes articles on first home-buyers and renter households, mineral boom towns, families with a child with a disability, adult literacy, complementary therapies, women's incomes, internet access and public transport use.

Each chapter of the report also includes a set of national and state/territory summary tables, and there are also tables providing international comparisons of of population, health, education and work.

The document's chapter on health features 'Risk taking by young people', highlighting behaviours such as risky drinking, illicit drug use and dangerous driving by people aged 15 to 24 years.
The education section includes a chapter titled, 'Education across Australia' which focuses on educational attainment levels and education participation, and how this varies by geographic location and by Indigenous status.
The chapter on work deals with 'Labour force participation across Australia', and discusses how labour force participation rates differ by age, sex and locality.

Printed copies are available by pre-order only. These will be available for pick up, from 11.30 am on release day 23 July 2008, from ABS capital city offices (http://tinyurl.com/6gcjtx) 'Australian Social Trends' will also be available for free download from the ABS website, http://www.abs.gov.au. For details contact the ABS Corporate Communications Section, ph: (02) 6252 6139 or (02) 6252 7480.

SUICIDE PREVENTION

Latest suicide statistics: updated overview available

Auseinet -- the Australian Network for Promotion, Prevention and Early Intervention for Mental Health -- has updated its information paper, 'Australian suicide statistics 2006: Key findings'. The document, based on March 2008 data released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics, provides a summary which highlights the levels of, and trends in, suicide in Australia.

Auseinet also released 'Australian self-harm statistics: Key findings', based on data released by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare in January 2007. Both papers are available from the link at:
http://www.auseinet.com/suiprev/statistics.php

Revised: Living is For Everyone (LIFE) framework

The revised framework for the LIFE: living is for everyone initiative provides updated information for both mental health professionals and the wider community. It is an updated version of the first LIFE framework which was developed and published in 2000, and aims to enhance the understanding and prevention of suicide and self harm in Australia. The updated framework also incorporates the latest national and international research into suicide prevention. See:
http://livingisforeveryone.com.au/LiFEFramework.asp

As this edition of 'Youth Field Xpress' went to press, a well-presented kit about the framework arrived at the clearinghouse, with two reports, one on research and evidence in suicide prevention and another describing the new framework. The kit also contains all the fact sheets that the initiative has developed,

Living is for everyone: research and evidence in suicide prevention

This report sets the context for suicide prevention activity, summarising current research, evidence and statistics relating to suicide and suicide prevention in Australia. It includes material on suicide risk and protective factors for suicide, suicide trends and comparisons, evidence of what works in suicide prevention and a discussion of the Living Is For Everyone (LIFE) suicide prevention model. See:
http://tinyurl.com/6p3jvu which takes you to:
http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/mental-pubs-l-liferes

TECHNOLOGY

The myth of multitasking

Multitasking is really "about attention: the art of paying attention, the ability to shift our attention, and, more broadly, to exercise judgment about what objects are worthy of our attention" but this might not be a good thing, according to an essay, "The myth of multitasking" in 'The New Atlantis' (n.20, Spring 2008, pp.105-10). Its author, Christine Rosen cites evidence that multitasking could be influencing the way our brains work and the way we learn, resulting in people who exhibit "very quick but very shallow thinking." Read all the viewpoints at:
http://www.thenewatlantis.com/publications/the-myth-of-multitasking

Ten higher education it issues for 2008

EDUCAUSE is a nonprofit association whose mission is to advance higher education by promoting the intelligent use of information technology. The EDUCAUSE Current Issues Committee has released the results of its ninth annual survey of information technology issues that concern higher education. The survey looks at IT in four areas. The top concerns have been the same for the past five of its surveys: administrative information systems, funding IT, and security are at the top of the list, with security the number one concern. The survey results and related materials, including readings related to each of the 10 issues, are available at:
http://www.educause.edu/2008IssuesResources/15516

WELFARE

Youth Allowance 'a failure and should be replaced'

A recent investigation by the Welfare Rights Centre 'has found a number of "glaring anomalies which create unjustifiable anomalies in relation to Social Security payment rates for young people". This is in addition to the evidence in the National Welfare Rights Network's budget submission earlier this year, which showed that the Youth Allowance division made between students and unemployed people causes "massive confusion and debt". The National Welfare Rights Network concludes that "Youth Allowance has been a failure and should be replaced by Newstart Allowance for unemployed young people, and [by] Austudy Payment for students". (Source: 'Rights Review', v.26, n.2, 2008, pp.4-5.)

WORLD YOUTH DAY

The internet website, Yahoo! has a page devoted to coverage of World Youth Day and all its activities. See:
http://au.news.yahoo.com/fc/-/fc/4774366/world-youth-day

YOUTH WORK

'Case management for community practice'

Due for publication in September, this new work from Oxford University Press is billed as "a coherent and timely text that crosses many disciplines within the human services sector, reflecting the diversity of client groups, practitioners and program areas that mark case management." Importantly, it "brings together policy, theory, methods, diverse fields of practice and multidisciplinary practice to encourage readers to engage in experimental and reflective practice, as well as providing resources relevant to continued professional development". The author is Elizabeth Moore, lecturer in social work and human services and course coordinator of social welfare at the Charles Sturt University's School of Humanities and Social Sciences.

Part 2, health supplement

HEALTH

Important calls to action on youth health

1.

Australia 21 on the health and wellbeing of young Australians: 2020 Summit submission

The text below is from the Australia 21 Submission to the 2020 Summit, and is an extract from that submission (section 7). It is reproduced here with permission from its author, Richard Eckersley, and contains his minor corrections to the orginal submission made to the 2020 Summit:

Introduction:
The health and wellbeing of young Australians, an important indicator of Australia's future population health, is declining. This development is of immense social significance, with implications for national priorities and every aspect of public policy.

The orthodox view of young people's health and wellbeing is of a continuing improvement, in line with historic trends. It rests on two lines of evidence: declining death rates and high levels of self-reported health, happiness and life satisfaction. Both measures are flawed. Mortality might once have been a good summary measure of overall health, but this is no longer true. In Australia, death now strikes only about 40 in every 100,000 (0.04%) young people each year. The major cause of death is road accidents, which says little about health and wellbeing in general. Self-reported health and happiness represent a biased view because people use a range of cognitive tricks in reporting high levels. Many people with serious health problems will still say their health is excellent or very good.

The orthodox view underestimates the growing importance to overall health and wellbeing of non-fatal, chronic illness, especially, in the case of young people, mental illness. Research suggests 20-30% of young people are suffering significant psychological distress at any one time, with less severe stress-related symptoms such as frequent headaches, stomach-aches and insomnia affecting as many as 50%. Mental disorders account for almost half the burden of disease in young Australians, measured as both death and disability -- far more than the second biggest contributor, injuries. There is a growing body of evidence that mental disorders have increased over successive generations of youth (as have some physical illnesses, notably diabetes, linked to rising levels of obesity.)

The more tangible factors contributing to the decline in mental health include family breakdown, education and work pressures, media and technological impacts, dietary changes and chemical pollution. However, the causes also include cultural intangibles, such as excessive materialism and individualism. While young people are materially better off, and have more opportunities for education, leisure and travel than ever before, social and cultural changes have made it harder for them to develop a strong sense of identity, purpose, belonging and security: in short, to feel their lives have meaning.

At its most fundamental, the task of optimizing population health involves changing the stories or narratives by which Australians define themselves, their lives and their goals.

Recommendations

1. Better health (not greater wealth) should be the defining goal of government. This means seeing health as much more than a matter of healthcare services.

2. Emphasis should be shifted from the dominant, treatment-focused, biomedical model of health to a preventative, social model.

3. This should include specific goals such as increasing the proportion of the health budget allocated to prevention and public health to, say, 5% of the health budget by 2020.

This submission draws on the following publications:

Eckersley, R. 2007. The health and wellbeing of young Australians: present patterns and future challenges. International Journal of Adolescent Medicine and Health, vol. 19. no.3, pp 217-227.

Eckersley, R. (in press). The health and wellbeing of young Australians: Patterns, trends, explanations, responses. In DL Bennett, SJ Towns, Elliott, EL. Challenges in adolescent health: An Australian perspective (provisional). Freund Publishing, Tel Aviv.

Eckersley, R (in press). Progress, culture and young people's wellbeing. In A. Furlong (ed). International Handbook of Youth and Young Adulthood. Routledge, London.

2. Young people's health: The Hobart declaration

The declaration below was composed by delegates to the June 2008 GP and Primary Health Care Research Conference, at the workshop on "Health for all young people: research, practice and policy implications". The declaration below is also available as a PDF from the conference website at:http://www.phcris.org.au/conference/2008/media/index.php

Declaration of Hobart:

The Youth Health Research Interest Group workshop of the Australian National GP and PHC Research Conference, meeting in Hobart this fourth day of June in the year two thousand and eight, expressing the need for urgent action by the Australian Federal Government and all State Governments, all health workers and the Australian community to protect and promote the health of all Australian young people, hereby makes the following declaration. In the declaration the term 'young people' refers to all groups of young people including young parents, migrants, refugees, high achievers, young people from both economically advantaged and disadvantaged backgrounds, intellectually and physically disabled young people, indigenous and homeless youth, same sex attracted and youth from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. It is emphasised that any specific group are part of the whole community of young people.

The Declaration:

1. Young people have the right and duty to participate individually and collectively in the planning and implementation of their health care. To achieve this end, there needs to be a raising of awareness amongst young people of this right and duty and creation of opportunities to participate through the education system, youth health and welfare sector and also through providing education for parents and teachers.

2. The work shop strongly reaffirms that health, which is a state of complete physical, mental, social and spiritual wellbeing, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity, is a fundamental human right and also, therefore, a young person's right.

3. The attainment of the highest possible level of health is a most important Australian social goal whose realization requires optimal communication and action and collaboration between the social, economic and health sectors.

4. Given Australia's prosperity, the existing gross inequalities in the health status of young people within rural and urban regions are politically, socially and economically unacceptable.

5. Economic and social development is of basic importance to the fullest attainment of health for all young people and to the reduction of the gap between the health status of different groups of young people. The promotion and protection of the health of young people maintains quality of life and is essential to sustained economic and social development and contributes to national peace. Governments need to support the economic and social development of young people to improve their capacity and chances for education, employment and other life opportunities (eg. by providing reasonable youth payments for welfare, housing and education).

6. Governments have a responsibility for the health of their young people, which can be fulfilled only by the provision of adequate health and social measures. A main social target of Australian governments and the Australian community in the coming decades, should be the attainment by all young people by the year 2020 of a level of health that will permit them to lead a socially and economically productive life and generate a greater sense of social inclusion and social cohesion. Indicators for young people's health need to be defined, with reference to ARACY and Foundation for Young Australians, and targets set for improvement of young people's health by 2020. Primary health care is one of the keys to attaining this target as part of development in the spirit of social justice.

7. Primary health care is essential health care based on practical, scientifically sound and socially acceptable methods and technology made universally accessible to young people and their families in the community through their full participation and at a cost that the community and country can afford to maintain at every stage of their development in the spirit of self-reliance and self-determination. It forms an integral part both of the country's health system, of which it is the central function and main focus, and of the overall social and economic development of the community. It is the first level of contact of young people with the national health system bringing health care as close as possible to where young people live and work, and constitutes the first element of a continuing health care process. An important step in achieving adequate access to primary health care is the provision of Medicare cards to all young people, helping to remove at least one of the barriers of access to care. There needs to be appropriate continuing education and training for primary health care staff to work with young people. An additional step needs to see an increase in access to services, for example flexibility of opening hours.

8. Primary health care:

... reflects, and evolves from, the economic conditions and sociocultural and political characteristics of the country and its communities and is based on the application of the relevant results of social, biomedical and health services research and public health experience;

... addresses the main health problems in the community, providing promotive, preventive, curative and rehabilitative services accordingly;

... includes at least: education concerning prevailing health problems and the methods of preventing and controlling them; promotion of food supply and proper nutrition; an adequate supply of safe water and basic sanitation; maternal and child health care, including family planning; immunization against the major infectious diseases; prevention and control of locally endemic diseases; appropriate treatment of common diseases and injuries; and provision of essential drugs;

... involves, in addition to the health sector, all related sectors and aspects of national and community development, in particular agriculture, animal husbandry, food, industry, education, housing, public works, communications and other sectors; and demands the coordinated efforts of all those sectors;

... requires and promotes maximum community and individual self-reliance and participation in the planning, organization, operation and control of primary health care, making fullest use of local, national and other available resources; and to this end develops through appropriate education the ability of communities to participate;

... should be sustained by integrated, functional and mutually supportive referral systems, leading to the progressive improvement of comprehensive health care for all, and giving priority to those most in need;

... relies, at local and referral levels, on health workers, including physicians, nurses, midwives, auxiliaries and community workers as applicable, as well as traditional practitioners as needed, suitably trained socially and technically to work as a health team and to respond to the expressed health needs of the community.

... needs to support environmental health: advocating for clean energy, support for healthy life styles, encourage use of public transport and cycle ways and other ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions for future health and wellbeing.

9. The Australian government should formulate national policies, strategies and plans of action to address known barriers young people have to accessing developmentally appropriate, affordable, acceptable and equitable primary health care. To this end, it will be necessary to exercise political will, to mobilize the country's resources and to use available external resources rationally.

10. All countries should cooperate in a spirit of partnership and service to ensure primary health care for all young people since the attainment of health by young people in any one country directly concerns and benefits every other country. In this context the joint WHO/UNICEF report on primary health care constitutes a solid basis for the further development and operation of primary health care throughout the world.

11. An acceptable level of health for all young people of Australia by the year 2020 can be attained through a fuller and better use of Australia's resources, a considerable part of which is now spent on armaments and military conflicts.

12. Media and technologies typically used by young people should be used to disseminate information about health issues and concerning decisions in which youth have a right to participate.

The Youth Health Research Interest Group (YHRIG) workshop of the GP and Primary Health Care Research Conference calls for urgent and effective national action to develop and implement primary health care for all young people throughout Australia. It urges governments, nongovernmental organisations, funding agencies, all health workers and the whole Australian community to support national commitment to primary health care for all young Australians and to channel increased technical and financial support to it, particularly in indigenous youth health.

The YHRIG workshop of the conference calls on all the aforementioned to collaborate in introducing, developing and maintaining primary health care for young Australians in accordance with the spirit and content of this Declaration. The authors of this declaration would like to establish a steering committee to move forward with action on some of the points here raised and to set a research agenda toward improving the primary health care delivery for young people.

For details, contact: Lena Sanci, email: l.sanci@unimelb.edu.au, Sam Stott, email: sam.stott[at]email.cs.nsw.gov.au or Carol Kefford, email: ckefford[at]med.usyd.edu.au

3. 'Australia's health 2008' is "THE essential reference for your bookshelf"

Australia's health 2008 is the 11th biennial health report of the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. The 600 page publication provides a comprehensive and detailed statistical picture of what is happening in the Australian health care system. Chapter six, Health across the life stages, section 3, contains information relevant to children and young people. The AIHW media release, which contains selected highlights from the report, is at: http://www.aihw.gov.au/mediacentre/2008/mr20080624.cfm and see: http://www.aihw.gov.au/publications/index.cfm/title/10585 for the report itself. (Source: http://www.healthinsite.gov.au/news/Australia_s_Health_2008 , viewed 18 July 2008.)