Teen art program targets mental health

Life in lockdown has been tough on most people, and Jedda Ayling has experienced her share of dark days.

"Sometimes you fall into those pits and there's nothing to look forward to to get yourself out of it," Jedda says.

But the year 11 student, from Thirroul in the Illawarra region, is determined to make a difference. Jedda is one of the young leaders driving the Museum of Contemporary Art's GENEXT program on Sunday night.

Like everything else, the program designed to provide an artistic outlet for teens has been forced to shift online. It adds a new layer of complexity and changes the dynamic of an event that attracted up to 800 people in person.

Based on conversations with her friends about their experiences during isolation, Jedda suggested a panel discussion about youth mental health. Experts from youth support service ReachOut and LGBTIQ organisation Twenty10 will join Jedda and fellow youth leader Kira Spencer on the panel as they take questions from teens around the state.

"Everything I was looking forward to this year has just been scrapped," Jedda says. "Spending a lot of time by yourself with not much social interaction is not fun."

As students return to the classroom full-time, mental health is on everyone's mind. Two weeks ago, the federal government appointed a new deputy chief medical officer for mental health and committed $48 million for support services.

The lockdown has caused anxiety for Jedda's friends who worry about their friends, family, education and their future beyond school. A recent survey by UNICEF Australia found that almost half of young people report that COVID-19 has increased their stress and anxiety, with teenage girls more likely than boys to feel the loss of social connection. The Kids Helpline received unprecedented numbers of calls in March – 9000 a week or one every minute

The panel discussion will be timely to ensure young people know how to get help.

"I think we should discuss coping mechanisms and ways that you can cope with what's going on," Jedda says.

Asked what success would look like on the night, Jedda pauses.

"We would never know but hopefully people walking away with some idea with how to... not completely pull themselves out, but just comfort themselves or comfort their friends."

Fellow panellist Kira says to "stay social and be creative".

"Art is a very good outlet in terms of releasing emotions. It's a good break from having to sit down and stare at a laptop all day and type.

Jedda says focusing on art has helped her through this period of uncertainty.

"I think it's really important to distract yourself from everything that's going on and just focus on the thing right in front of you and what you're feeling and expressing."

Doing school at home has its advantages, Jedda says, including not having to sit through boring classes. But home learning hasn't been easy especially for practical subjects such as art. "For a lot of things it's really hard to find the motivation and teach yourself."

Other online activities on Sunday night include a hip-hop dance class with the Sydney Dance Company; an AUSLAN visual storytelling workshop with hearing-impaired youth committee member Amy Wright; a plaster painting workshop; live dance and music performances from young Australian artists; and a fashion contest for the best isolation costume.

GENEXT will be streamed online at 6-9pm on Sunday for kids aged 12-18. Register on the MCA website.

Kids Help Line: 1800 55 1800; kidshelpline.com.au