It’s time to grab the glitter as an important event that nurtures connection and inclusion for local teenagers gets set to go ahead again in 2023.
The fun-fuelled festival, which has the potential to save a life, invites teenagers and parents to engage charities, organisations and professionals offering support for mental health challenges.
Known as Nurture Festival and happening on May 6 at Lake Kawana, the event will also include performances from acclaimed artists such as Hatchie, Yazmindi and Mayah.
Organiser and endED co-founder and chairman Mark Forbes said the “powerful” festival aimed to bring together teenagers aged between 12 and 18 to have a fun day of music and activities.
“Nurture Festival holds the powerful potential to save a young person’s life by providing a unique and direct connection and pathway to the support they need on their mental health journey,” he said.
“It connects them with a supportive and ‘nurturing’ local community that offers young people with tools and resources equipping them for mental health and wellbeing challenges.
Mr Forbes said it was also an opportunity to include parents and carers in the conversation.
“We are encouraging people to bring along the family or come with a group of friends,” he said.
Workshops and activities on the day will include skateboard art, yoga, lake outrigging, drone-racing competitions and silent theatre.
There will also be a speaker’s corner with a full program of engaging presenters.
Launched in 2022, the festival was a response to the devastating mental health statistics surrounding young people nationally and the need for them to be connected to appropriate support services.
Research from the National Eating Disorders Collaboration revealed eating disorders had the highest mortality rate of all mental illnesses.
It also outlined a 60 per cent increase in restrictive eating and a 30 per cent increase in binge eating since 2020.
This year the festival has fostered partnerships with eight local schools and 25 community groups that will be attending on the day.
“It is our wish that we reach out to as many young people as possible to let them know that despite the problems that they might be experiencing either at home or school, they are not alone,” Mr Forbes said.
“There are lots of places to turn in a time of need.
“This event might just be the place to find that new best friend, create long-lasting memories or connect more closely with your family.”
Nurture Festival is a drug- and alcohol-free safe space for festival-goers and families.
For more information and to book tickets visit nurturefestival.com.au.
Every ticket purchased before May 6 goes in the draw to win a week’s stay on K’gari at the Footsteps on Fraser.
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