Bringing cultural heritage and lived experience to the mental health system
Reverb 2.0 is a prevention and early intervention mental health initiative, co-designed and co-delivered by multicultural young people. Neerja is one of the Youth Advocates of the program, conducting co-design and delivery of mental health workshops to school aged students. CMY asked Neerja a few questions about her experience so far.
Tell us a little bit about yourself and your background.
I’m 18 years old; I was born and raised in Melbourne, and I am deeply connected to my Punjabi and Sikh heritage. I’m currently in my first year of university, majoring in Neuroscience. My passion lies in advocating for improved accessibility to mental health services and support, and fostering greater inclusivity within the system. I am also dedicated to advocating for young people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and enhancing mental health resources for underrepresented communities.
‘I look forward to continuing to use my lived experience, passion, and academic background to collaborate with my peers and drive meaningful change in our community, especially within the next stages of Reverb 2.0.’
Why did you become interested in being involved with Reverb 2.0?
I became interested in being involved with Reverb 2.0 because of its unique focus on mental health within culturally diverse communities. Multicultural young people are often underrepresented and underserved in the mental health system, and Reverb 2.0’s approach helps address this gap. The program’s collaboration between CMY, headspace staff, and young people with lived experience had a holistic and inclusive model that I was eager to be a part of.
I wanted to contribute to a project that not only enhances access to and awareness of crucial resources but also addresses the specific challenges faced by culturally diverse communities, such as stigma, language barriers, and other obstacles to seeking support. Reverb 2.0’s strategy of engaging young people through school workshops and training headspace staff, with young people co-facilitating and sharing their experiences, resonates with me. I believe that this approach builds meaningful connections and fosters support, empowerment, and engagement that can make a real difference.
What are your thoughts and feelings on the mental health system for multicultural young people?
I think the mental health system sometimes falls short in meeting the needs of multicultural young people. In many cultures, mental health challenges are stigmatised and seen as weaknesses or something to be hidden, which can make seeking help feel daunting or even shameful. Additionally, some may think what they are experiencing isn’t “bad enough” to warrant support, which can further discourage young people from reaching out.
‘Something Reverb 2.0 highlights is that mental health is a continuum, and anyone can experience challenges at any time. I think it’s important to acknowledge that seeking support is always an option, regardless of where you are on that continuum.’
Furthermore, current support structures might not fully grasp or address the unique challenges that multicultural young people face. Language barriers, cultural differences, and varying norms from their backgrounds can make accessing effective support even harder and may leave young people feeling misunderstood. I believe there is a real need for a more inclusive approach that acknowledges and respects these cultural differences, fosters open and comfortable dialogue, removes barriers, and builds trust to ensure that multicultural youth receive the support they need.
What has the co-design process involved, and what has it been like?
I absolutely loved the co-design process. It was incredible to see the project evolve from start to finish. In many advisory roles, you don’t always get to see the final outcome, but with this project, we were involved every step of the way.
The initial training session was one of the highlights of the co-design journey. Connecting with other like-minded young people and learning about their impactful work was truly inspiring, and some of these connections have turned into long-lasting friendships! The co-design principles and culturally responsive training provided valuable insights and deepened our understanding. Collaborating with people such as Emily Unity and individuals from organisations like headspace National and Shakti Mental Health further enriched the experience, making our journey even more meaningful.
We used Miro boards extensively, and it was amazing to see our ideas transform from initial, chaotic brain dumps into a well-organised set of workshops. Despite the small hurdle of a tight timeframe in the end, with all our hard work, we were able to bring our vision to life.
How you feel about the project now that you are at the end of it?
I’m feeling a deep sense of reflection and gratitude as the project comes to a close. Working with such a passionate and dedicated team has been an incredible journey. Seeing our ideas come to life whilst aiming to create a tangible impact on the lives of multicultural young people has been both fulfilling and enlightening.
‘This experience has taught me so much about the power of collaboration and the importance of inclusivity. I’m genuinely proud of what we’ve accomplished together and excited to see what is to come.’
What impact do you hope your work and Reverb 2.0 is going to make in this space?
I am hopeful that Reverb 2.0 will make a significant and lasting impact. I believe it will help young people build trust and awareness when accessing resources and services and feel empowered to seek support. We aim to drive positive change and contribute to a more equitable and responsive mental health support system by fostering an environment where young people feel understood and empowered. I hope that our work inspires a shift toward more inclusive and accessible mental health support for all.
Reverb 2.0 will be looking to deliver workshops to schools and mental health practitioners in early 2025.