Gold Coast young people have their say at Impact Youth Summit

Young people on the Gold Coast say academic pressure and mental health are the biggest issues impacting their generation. READ WHAT THEY HAVE TO SAY

Gold Coast teens Baran Jalilian, 17, and Madison Brennan, 18, at the Impact Youth Summit at the Sea World Resort Conference Centre. Picture: Chelsea Bunting

Top of mind for next generation leaders - gathering on the Gold Coast this week for a summit empowering youth - are academic pressure and mental health battles, say attendees.

Two hundred young people, aged 15 to 24, attended the Impact Youth Summit to connect with and learn from others.

Baran Jalilian, 17, moved to the Gold Coast from Iran in June 2022.

The year 11 student at Benowa State High School said there were lots of opportunities on the Gold Coast for young people and hoped to study international relations at university.

Baran said academic pressure was a major issue for young students.

“I talk to a lot of people with very diverse backgrounds who are facing different issues every day but school and study pressure and mental health … are a concern,” she said.

“Academic pressure is the big one.

“Typically those who are excelling are not the ones who are asked ‘are you doing okay?’ and if their workload is too much.”

Baran uses an app on her phone to track her emotions throughout the day to help manage stress and feeling overwhelmed.

“I can see the difference between when I’m at home, at school and during different classes,” she said.

“I do mindfulness and box breathing as well and that really helps.”

Madison Brennan, 18, who is in the first year of her nursing studies at Griffiths University, agreed mental health was impacting young people.

“It’s getting worse,” she said.

Madison said the summit was an important opportunity for young people to come together and make new friends.

“We don’t get that normally, there is an increase in social anxiety,” she said.

“We talk about a lot of important issues.”

Impact founder and executive program direction Karen Phillips said the summit, in its third year, was the only one of its kind in Australia.

“We aim to inspire, educate and provide hope for our future generation,” she said.

“So many young people have faced challenges over the last years, particularly during and after the pandemic.

“This will give them the tools, inspiration and ideas to navigate their pathway.”

Attendees are taking part in workshops and hearing from 20 guest speakers during the two-day event.

Originally published as Gold Coast young people have their say at Impact Youth Summit