Never have I Ever initiative launched to support young people and mental health
To help support young people when it comes to their mental health and healthy coping strategies, DrinkWise created the Never have I Ever campaign, with the support of:
- Federal Member for Macquarie, Susan Templeman
- ReachOut.
This launch followed research from ReachOut which confirmed that the mental health of teenagers had declined during the pandemic – and that around 8% of them may be turning to alcohol or drugs during difficult times.
The initiative addresses the feeling of stress and anxiety experienced by young people and reinforces that asking for help is ok. The campaign aims to remind them that support services are there to provide help and advice if needed.
The initiative encourages young adults to consider difficult questions, including:
- Never have I Ever – Been worried about a mate’s mental health
- Never have I Ever – Started drinking to overcome anxiety
- Never have I Ever – Used drinking as a way to cope.
Federal Member for Macquarie Susan Templeman and DrinkWise Chief Executive Officer Simon Strahan with members of the Macquarie Youth Advisory Committee
What the campaign leaders say
DrinkWise Chief Executive Officer Simon Strahan believes that getting young adults to open-up about their challenges is vital.
“We want to ensure our next generation are taking active steps to help manage stress and anxiety.
“It’s critical that young adults know that professional help and support is available from ReachOut and other mental health services – and that trying to relieve stress and anxiety with drugs or alcohol is never the answer.
“This campaign is about prompting young adults to have a conversation with each other and highlighting that asking for help is a sign of strength.”
Federal Member for Macquarie, Susan Templeman, said the idea for connecting with young adults in a place where they gather came from her youth advisory committee.
“This is an idea from young people, for young people, to encourage them to start a conversation with their mates that might lead to reaching out for help.”
Susan Templeman, Federal Member for Macquarie
“What we all want them to know is that struggling with your mental health is not something to be ashamed of, but something that everyone can experience and should be spoken about.”
With the support of the Australian Hotels Association and ReachOut, Never have I Ever themed posters, coasters, bathroom stalls and bar mats will be displayed in 28 pubs, clubs and bars throughout the Macquarie electorate in regional New South Wales.
Australian Hotels Association NSW Director of Liquor and Policing, John Green, said the Australia Hotels Association NSW is fully behind this initiative to help encourage helpful conversations about mental health.
Mr Green said: “We want to ensure that as people come back together at licensed venues, to socialise, have a meal, catch up with friends and family, they also use these opportunities to talk about local issues and support each other.”
ReachOut Chief Executive Officer, Ashley de Silva, said: “The Never have I Ever campaign is a timely reminder that ReachOut is a vital mental health support service for young people. This campaign is powerful because it calls out unhelpful coping strategies such as turning to alcohol.”
Macquarie Electorate Youth Advisory Group member, Caitlin Daley, said “Being a young adult is hard, but especially so in the last few years. The youth in the Hawkesbury area have had to cope with bushfires, flooding and Covid.”
“We’ve missed a lot of birthdays, formals, seeing our loved ones and lots more. The pubs in the Hawkesbury area are a central spot for the locals, so to have a campaign that can remind us that we always have support is amazing.”
Backed by research
As an evidence-based organisation, DrinkWise relies on key independent research and clinical advice to underpin our campaigns and programs. Never have I Ever was guided by experts in research, youth mental health and social marketing, in addition to being developed and tested with the Macquarie Electorate Youth Advisory Committee.
In 2021, ReachOut found that young people felt more negatively about the future, compared to before Covid. 44% felt negatively or very negatively about the future, compared to 20% before Covid.
Anxiety and coping with stress are among the top topics of interest/relevance to young people.
of young people may be turning to alcohol or drugs during tough times.
fewer school leavers are feeling connected to other people around them, 31% are not feeling connected (an increase of +12%, 2021 vs 2020).
of school leavers are concerned for a friend’s mental health (increase +18%, 2021 vs 2020).
of school leavers feel comfortable suggesting to a friend that they seek help from a support service such as ReachOut.
- Figures taken from ReachOut’s Study Stress survey (a national study of 1,177 young people aged 14-25 years, conducted in September 2021) and ReachOut’s Future Brand survey (a national study of 1,104 young people aged 14-25 years, conducted October 2021).
- Figures taken from DrinkWise You Got This survey (a national study of over 500542 school leavers aged between 17-18 conducted in October 2021).
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