Hip hop musician advocates for youth mental health
Isaiah Janiak has spent the last year helping Australia's youth through his own struggles.
A local hip hop artist has spent the past year advocating for the mental health and wellbeing needs of young Australians.
Twenty-four-year-old Isaiah Janiak is an Aboriginal youth worker who first came to Headspace as a volunteer at the local Murray Bridge centre.
He's also one of 20 Headspace youth national reference group (HY NRG) members.
“I’m passionate about youth mental health because I’ve been through a lot myself," he said.
“I’ve always found that I’m a person who wants to help others and that people feel comfortable coming to me for support.
“Being a member of HY NRG has been a really rewarding experience.
“I feel like the work I’m doing with Headspace is really important because it has a real impact on other young people.
“I also think it’s important as an Aboriginal person, and as a young man, to be present in these spaces.
“There’s a lot of power being a young person ... we have the freedom to be outspoken, brutal and honest when sometimes others can’t be.”
Isaiah has also used his time on HY NRG to share his lived experience through his art.
One highlight was getting to perform at the 2024 Headspace forum.
The event is held by Headspace national to bring people together from centres across Australia.
Mr Janiak performed two original hip-hop songs in front of 1500 people: “I was able to share my reflections through my music, which I created for and with my community.”
Headspace chief clinical officer Vikki Ryall said young people and their families were engaged at all levels at Headspace to help ensure the organisation understood their needs and experiences.
“Our HY NRG members are passionate about young people’s health and wellbeing, and the program provides them the opportunity to shape Headspace’s programs and strategic direction," she said.
Headspace is currently recruiting young people aged 18-25 who have lived experience seeking support through a mental health service to apply for HY NRG.
Hailing from all over Australia and from a diverse set of backgrounds, HY NRG members are passionate mental health advocates who participate and collaborate with Headspace to ensure young people provide input into its services.
- More information, apply: headspace.org.au.
- Get help: Talk to your GP; contact Headspace on 8531 2122 or at 10 Second Street, Murray Bridge; Lifeline on 13 11 14; or the Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800; or, in an emergency, call 000.
