Brimbank Youth Council 2024: How to Stay Safe in Your Community

Community Safety was the project topic for the Brimbank Youth Council 2024. They picked this topic because being safe is an important issue for young people and they wanted to spread awareness on safety-related issues in Brimbank. Here are some resources based on the Reels they created, as shown on the Brimbank Youth Services social media pages.

TRUE OR FALSE (with sources!)

Are there youth mental health services for young people in Brimbank?

YES! Headspace offers free mental health support for young people aged 12-25 in Brimbank and across Australia. There’s a Headspace office in Sunshine – get in touch with them here.

We also offer free mental health support through our B-Heard program! Register to the program here.

If you are a student in school or in university, you may be able to use their mental health services. Get in touch with your school’s wellbeing officers or your university’s counselling services to access free mental health support.

Can carrying a weapon keep you safe?

FALSE. In fact, carrying weapon, such as a knife, can create a false sense of security. It increases the risk of accidents for the person carrying the knife and others nearby. Check out this resource by Crime Stoppers that contain other information about knife-related crimes: Crime Stoppers Cut the Violence campaign

Can young people be driven to commit violent acts if they are having problems at home?

YES. Some of the key drivers for serious youth violence are having problems at home, being ostracised from peers, trauma, boredom, fear, and a desire to been seen as strong (*derived from Brimbank Youth Services work with the Dept Justice & Community Safety). If you want to learn more about this get in touch with us.

Spatial Awareness

Having spatial awareness (the ability to be aware of your surroundings) is a key skill that will keep you safe. This can include being aware of body language and making sure your valuable belongings are kept secure when in public spaces.

A handy way of understanding spatial awareness is learning what your personal space or boundaries are. This video can help you learn what is a comfortable and safe distance you can have with others. Watch video here.

If want information about programs or services for young people and families in Brimbank, please send an enquiry here.