Community Strengthening
Stories from the Community
Youth Parliment Gave Me The Confidence To Do Anything
Wednesday, 1st June 2011
In Australia, anxiety disorders are estimated to affect one in six young people and around one in 16 has depression.
Youth Parliamentarian Blake, 16, was excited about using the YMCA NSW Youth Parliament program to voice his concerns over the issues that he was passionate about. Despite relishing every opportunity to sharing his thoughts about current affairs, Blake knew he had a huge challenge ahead of him -he suffered from Anxiety.
YMCA staff leadership, along with Blake’s own perseverance, hard work and determination to overcome any challenge ensured that for the first time, he could deliver a speech without notes – all in the setting of NSW Parliament – and finally find his voice.
“Many Youth Parliamentarians can tell you how much this program has changed their life, but truly this program has done just that for me.”
“Youth Parliament has given me a great confidence in myself. I can do anything if I put my mind to it!”
Blake Osmond, YMCA NSW Youth Parliamentarian
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