Latest news with #youthsupport
RNZ News
a day ago
- Politics
- RNZ News
Gumboot Friday founder says measure of success is young people getting help fast
Mike King says in the last year no child who had asked for a counselling session via Gumboot Friday had missed out. Photo: RNZ / Cole Eastham-Farrelly The founder of Gumboot Friday's youth counselling initiative Mike King says the service is meeting demand and all young people who are coming through are getting sessions in an appropriate time frame. Gumboot Friday has had a green light for its second year of funding but has had its targets increased after meeting the minimum numbers set for its first year. In the first 12 months it has delivered 30,000 sessions for 10,000 young people, that target will go up to 40,000 sessions for 15,000 people. It now has 700 counsellors, which is a 33 percent increase over the last year. The government had announced the I Am Hope foundation (the parent charity of Gumboot Friday) would receive $6 million a year for four years to provide counselling services to five- to 25-year-olds, as part of the coalition agreement. Last year the process by which the charity was awarded funding came under scrutiny by the auditor-general who said the way the decision came about was "unusual and inconsistent". But Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey has backed the charity saying it is helping thousands of young people get access to support faster. King said the young people getting help fast was his measure of success. Talking to RNZ's Checkpoint King said that this year all the children who had have asked for a session were seen in a timely fashion. He said no one missed out on counselling sessions. Currently Gumboot Friday has got 742 counsellors on its books according to King, and another 70-odd were going through CV check. He clarified that Gumboot Friday was a voluntary service, not a service provider. "We provide a platform which connects young people in need of counselling, who would like counselling with professionals who can provide counselling. "And we are meeting the demand, so everyone who's coming through is getting the sessions in the appropriate amount of time." On average Gumboot Friday provided three and a half sessions per young person, King said. If a young person needed more counselling sessions, the counsellor could reapply and Gumboot Friday would provide them with extra sessions, he said. King rejected the assertion that children could only receive a maximum of four counselling sessions through the programme. "If any counsellor comes to us and says they have a young person in need, on a case-by-case basis they will be granted extra sessions." Previously many young people could only get a counselling session if they were in crisis, which was often too late, he said. "We are an early intervention system where young people can voluntarily come forward and talk about a little problem before it becomes a big problem, before it becomes a suicidal thought," King said. "However, if a young person comes to us in crisis and they need extra care, they reach out to us and we will pathway them to crisis teams and crisis mental health where and when it is needed." King told Checkpoint that no other mental health service organisations in New Zealand delivered the same breadth of counselling services for anyone aged from five to 25 and gave "100 percent of the government funding to the counsellors" while covering the other costs themselves. "So yes I am comfortable that we do this better than anyone else out there." The minister has set a target for the next year for Gumboot Friday to organise 40,000 sessions for 15,000 people in the next 12 months. Asked whether Gumboot Friday would be able to meet the minister's new target, King said "target schmarget, we will meet the demand". King was confident that young people who came forward for counselling sessions would get them. "I have said to the minister we will meet the target of any young person coming into our service up to $6 million a year." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
CNA
4 days ago
- Health
- CNA
CNA Special - Age of Anxiety: What's driving the youth mental health crisis in Singapore? (Part 1)
It was the call that all parents dread – news that his 17-year-old son took his life. Five years on, 'Sean' still grapples with the reasons why. The reality is that one in three young people in Singapore experience significant mental health challenges. What's driving these numbers? Crispina Robert goes in search of answers and speaks to people living through their own darkness and professionals on the frontlines. WHERE TO SEEK HELP If you or someone you know is struggling and needs support, please consider reaching out to one of the helplines below. Youthline: +65 6436 6612 (call), 8533 9460 (text) and over email at hello [at] Youthline provides free mental health support to youth via phone, email or a live chat service. It runs from 9am to midnight daily. Calls outside of operating hours are redirected to Samaritans of Singapore or the Singapore Civil Defence Force for emergency medical services. Samaritans of Singapore: 1767 (call), 9151 1767 (WhatsApp text) and over email at pat [at] Samaritans of Singapore provides round-the-clock confidential emotional support for individuals in crisis, thinking about or affected by suicide. The call and text-based services are operational 24 hours a day, every day of the week. National Mindline: 1771 (call), 6669 1771 (WhatsApp) and through online webchat on the website. This is a round-the-clock confidential national-level helpline. Beyond immediate counselling, those who require more support can be directed to the appropriate care and resources.
CTV News
5 days ago
- General
- CTV News
Northern Ont. 2SLGBTQ+ youth camp in crisis after losing key donation
A northern Ontario summer camp for youth that identify as 2SLGBT+ says it's in crisis. It's getting requests from campers at the same time it's lost funding. A northern Ontario summer camp for 2SLGBTQ+ youth says it is struggling to meet a surge in demand while facing a critical drop in funding. Rainbow Camp An undate aerial image of Rainbow Camp, a 2SLGBTQ+ inclusive youth camp located near Echo Bay on the shores of Lake Huron. (Supplied/Rainbow Camp) Rainbow Camp, located near Echo Bay on the shores of Lake Huron, has operated since 2012, offering a week-long retreat for youth aged 12 to 17. This year, organizers say they've been inundated with requests from campers – many of whom come from rural and isolated communities where they face rejection or lack support. 'There's this need for belonging, and we offer it,' said Harry Stewart, the camp's co-founder and president of the Welcome Friend Association. 'Not all families are behind their child under the rainbow.' Harry Stewart Harry Stewart, the co-founder of Rainbow Camp and president of the Welcome Friend Association, speaks with CTV News via Zoom in July 2025. (Angela Gemmill/CTV News Northern Ontario) Camp sees surge in applicants as corporate funding dries up Stewart said the camp is now in crisis as corporate donations – particularly from U.S.-linked companies – have 'dwindled or are not there.' 'Larger corporations that have anything to do with the United States have really backed off in funding because of the whole diversity thing that's going on there … they feel they're being monitored,' he said. A lifeline for queer youth Rainbow Camp Arrivals An undated photo of youths arriving at Rainbow Camp, a 2SLGBTQ+ inclusive youth camp located near Echo Bay on the shores of Lake Huron. (Supplied/Rainbow Camp) The camp, which was recently awarded the Governor General's Meritorious Service Medal, provides a rare safe space for 2SLGBTQ+ youth, many of whom describe it as life-changing. Daniel, a former camper turned counsellor, recalled his first experience at Rainbow Camp in 2019. Daniel - Rainbow Camp Councillor Daniel, a former Rainbow Camp attendee turned counsellor, is shown wearing a flower crown during camp councillor training in July 2025. (Rainbow Camp/Facebook) 'I didn't realize how much of a weight I'd been carrying at that point – of my identity and my identity getting in the way of who I was and who I was interacting with,' he said. 'But I remember showing up and suddenly that weight was lifted, and I was like, 'Okay, I'm good.' You don't even realize the difference it makes until it's there.' Now, as a counsellor, Daniel sees the growing need firsthand. 'It's wonderful seeing how many people are now feeling safer to come out and explore their identities,' he said. 'I'm not surprised that there's more interest being shown – because we need that.' Camp councillors - Rainbow Camp Camp councillors for Rainbow Camp training in July 2025. (Rainbow Camp/Facebook) Stewart shared a recent example of a camper who was pulled from attending after their family learned the camp affirms 2SLGBTQ+ identities – a situation that underscores the camp's role as a refuge. The organization said the child's protection worker feared for the youth's safety. 'This is why Rainbow Camp exists – and why we need your help,' he said. Urgent call for support Despite the rising demand, the camp has raised just $40,000 of its $100,000 operating goal for this summer. Stewart warned that without immediate help, they may have to turn youth away. In an email to CTV News, the camp's co-founder emphasized the stakes: 'Rainbow Camp is in crisis. The demand for camper sponsorships has soared, and our funding cannot keep up. Unless immediate support is found, we may be forced to turn youth away, or worse.' — Harry Stewart, the co-founder of Rainbow Camp Rainbow Camp is now appealing to the public for donations and support to raise awareness. 'This would be devastating,' Stewart said. 'Many of our campers come from communities where queer youth often feel isolated. Rainbow Camp is the only place some of them feel safe to be who they are.' Rainbow Camp activities An undated photo of youths participating in Rainbow Camp activities, a 2SLGBTQ+ inclusive youth camp located near Echo Bay, Ont. (Supplied/Rainbow Camp) For more information on Rainbow Camp or how to offer support, visit their social media page.
The Independent
15-07-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
King ‘riveted' by story of Royal Marine boxer who was stabbed
The King said he was 'riveted' to hear the story of a Royal Marine and boxer as he hosted actor Idris Elba, recipients of the King's Trust and campaigners at St James's Palace. Kyle Shaw-Tullin, a Royal Marine and Team GB boxer, who was stabbed in Oldham as a teenager, told a table discussion that getting back in the boxing ring after the attack helped keep him out of trouble. Charles said it was 'a good point' about 'being too exhausted to get into trouble'. Charles also invited the Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, who had come from chairing a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, with Home Secretary Yvette Cooper and Lisa Nandy, the Culture Secretary, in attendance too. He said he was 'enormously grateful' for the support of the attendees. The King said: 'The critical thing is how do we induce the action. 'So often I can't help feeling with problems how do you join up all the dots between different departments and different agencies and voluntary organisations? 'This is the key, how do we do that? 'Is there some one person who can help make sure all this happens?' The prime minister lauded Elba's 'brilliant' campaign against knife crime called Don't Stop Your Future and congratulated other activists for their work, calling them 'inspirational'. Meanwhile, the Luther star said there had been some 'milestones' in knife crime campaigning but added 'we can't take out foot off the pedal'. Elba said: 'We've seen some things happen, and that's great. 'There's also been a small rise in knife crime at the same time, OK? 'And compared to the year before that rising knife crime might be less than the year before, but it was still a rise. 'So we can't take our foot off the pedal. 'We have to stay focused.'
Arab News
13-07-2025
- Business
- Arab News
Japan Embassy in Riyadh partners with IOM to fund Yemen youth training
RIYADH: Japanese Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Yoichi Nakashima partnered with the International Organization for Migration to grant about $2.5 million in aid supporting vocational training for youth, including internally displaced persons in Yemen. Signing the exchange notes in Riyadh on Sunday alongside Nakashima were Ashraf El Nour, head of the IOM office in Riyadh, and Mansour Bajash, undersecretary for political affairs at Yemen's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Japanese envoy told Arab News that this cooperation is critical given the ongoing economic difficulties in Yemen, saying: 'We made this decision to support the Yemeni people who are going through this exceptional time and to address urgently needed areas such as vocational training.' He explained that Yemen faces rising unemployment due to the prolonged conflict. The country's public technical and vocational training centers have significantly reduced their operations due to infrastructure damage and lack of funds. Approximately 4.7 million IDPs — about one-seventh of the population — are unable to earn an income because they lack technical skills, making employment difficult. Nakashima highlighted that this agreement may benefit a large number of people, especially IDPs, who are particularly affected by the situation. This cooperation aims to rehabilitate technical and vocational training centers and provide capacity development training in three southern governorates: Aden, Lahj, and Taiz. It is also expected to help increase employment opportunities for young people by expanding vocational training and enhancing economic resources. A joint press statement from the embassies of Japan and Yemen noted that supporting peace and stability in Yemen, which borders the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, will contribute to securing sea lanes. The government of Japan expressed its commitment to continue working proactively toward achieving peace and stability in Yemen, in cooperation with the UN and relevant countries.
