Fearless Conversations from our Next Generation: Sex education, mental health and prison

From sex education to mental health and youth imprisonment – these are issues outspoken teens say must be addressed. Watch the Fearless Conversations panel discussion.

The next generation of fearless conversationalists is finding its voice.

As an extension of the successful Flinders University/The Advertiser Fearless Conversations series, three teens took to the Adelaide Town Hall stage last week to speak on issues close to their hearts: sex education, mental health and youth incarceration.

The trio – Melina Gaffey, Chloe McPherson and Lucy Scinto – were chosen to be part of the inaugural Fearless Conversations from our Next Generation panel after submitting short video presentations on their chosen topics.

Fifteen-year-old Melina, of Marryatville High School, said gaps in sexual health education relating to issues such as menstruation and pregnancy would have obvious implications as teenagers “progress into adulthood”.

“I was in biology class ... and boys started asking (questions such as), ‘Why does the foetus grow in the stomach?’ and ‘Why do you need menstrual products? Can’t you just hold it in?’

“I thought some areas have been missed in terms of health education ... and this is an issue that needs to be discussed.”

Flinders University’s Sarah Walsh questions students Chloe McPherson, Lucy Scinto and Melina Gaffey (from left) during the Fearless Conversations from our Next Generation panel discussion at the Adelaide Town Hall. Picture: Brenton Edwards

She said aside from basic biological education, there also needed to be more guidance for teens about recognising and avoiding “toxic relationships” and discussions on issues such as the consequences of unprotected sex.

Speaking from her “lived experience”, fellow Marryatville High student Lucy, also 15, said she had been motivated to get involved due to the “false information and stigma” surrounding obsessive-compulsive disorder in society.

She said OCD was often misrepresented by people who incorrectly attributed their – or other people’s – “quirky” habits to the condition.

“This minimises the fact OCD is a valid disorder ... and it really makes it a lot harder for those people who are struggling with it to accept help, because those words and quotes that are thrown around really do hurt your self-esteem,” she said.

Further education relating to mental health issues such as OCD would help lead to a more understanding generation, she said.

Students Chloe McPherson, Lucy Scinto and Melina Gaffey (from left) in discussion with Flinders University’s Sarah Walsh during the inaugural Fearless Conversations from our Next Generation panel discussion at the Adelaide Town Hall. Picture: Brenton Edwards

“If you’re able to talk about how to deal with your personal mental illness, that’s going to help you in the long run towards getting a job, being resilient and knowing when there’s a red flag when something’s wrong.”

Chloe, 16, of Investigator College, said there was a clear need for greater guidance and information about the impact of youth detention, which could have far-reaching consequences for children in later life.

“Some children don’t understand the consequences and I feel like there should be more information put out there about how we can help reduce (the number of children in detention) and create a better environment.”

She supported the national Raise the Age campaign, which calls on state, territory and Commonwealth governments to lift the age of criminal responsibility from 10 years to at least 14.

The following Fearless Conversation – featuring a panel including renowned social justice advocate Reverend Tim Costello addressing the topic of Conflict and Crisis: A Global Health Emergency – will be published on advertiser.com.au on Wednesday.