Young volunteers in Gosnells are showing how much of a difference a caring group of teenagers can make, with local Leo members putting mental health and kindness at the centre of their service.
The Leo Club of Gosnells recently joined Booragoon Leos for a presentation focused on suicide prevention and youth mental health, while also helping promote World Sight Day through a community event.
The club president Hope Lankford noted that the topic is personal and a priority for their group.
“We got the invite from another Leos club. Mental health, especially for teenagers, is a big priority in our club, since people struggle with it a lot around us, and so we like to be involved and raise awareness whenever we can,” she said.
Hope said the presentation reinforced how important it is to look out for those around you.
“Yeah, well, obviously we see it a lot around us. I see people who are affected by it, and it’s just really important to make sure it’s known. And you know, people can struggle with it without everyone knowing. You just got to be aware of it.”
Hope joined the Leos at age 12 and said the club changed her life.
“When I started Leo at 12, I was shy, and I didn’t, you know, I wouldn’t stand up in front and talk in front of anyone. And then I joined Leo’s, and I started coming out of my shell a bit more, doing activities, finding friends. And then I became the president and coming up with more ideas, starting more events,” she said.
Her leadership journey recently saw her win the WA Leo of the Year and the public speaking award at the national finals.
“It was an incredible achievement, and I was just so grateful that people recognised my speech at the national level and decided that everyone should hear it and that I was good enough to be heard, that people want to hear me and my ideas and my opinions.”
The president of the club wishes other young people will take practical lessons from the club’s mental health work.
“I hope that whatever they’re involved in, in their communities, they just notice little things, like when someone’s struggling, you say, are you okay? And you know, if you notice someone’s a little bit lonely, you try and get them involved in activity,” Hope said. “I think they should go beyond just asking, are you okay? Keep talking to them after that.”
She said the club gives young people confidence and belonging.
“I hope that we can get more people involved, and it can bring more people out of their shells. It can help some kids who maybe aren’t good at sports or argued at school, have a place to belong.”
Vice president Lucy explained the program helped young people understand each other’s struggles.
“Through the community, you get to see many people with many different walks of life. I’ve walked another life compared to hope and like we experience mental health differently, and a lot of people have that mental health struggle,” she said.
She stated that mental health can be invisible at school.
“Well, I’ve experienced mental health. I struggled through it throughout my whole high school journey, and I guess it’s gets unnoticed when you’re in the high school system, because you’re there to learn and you’re there to improve, so you’re not really seen as someone who’s struggling.”
Lucy noted being a Leo gives her purpose and connection. “I love interacting with new people. I love meeting and hearing their experiences and making that change in the community,” she said.
“I just love being out there and putting a smile on my face and seeing all the new people. It just gets me out of my house and out of that cloudy mindset. So, it’s basically like a family-friendly club, that kind of thing.”
The vice-president said something that stood out for her is that the club recently helped recognise young people overcoming hardship through the Children of Courage program.
“We just put on an event and give an award and make that day feel special. And just being part of that and seeing all this family smile and all the kids be happy and rewarded for something that they didn’t think was possible was a fulfilling moment for me,” Lucy said.
Both young leaders said the club is built on service and support.
“It helps us build community connections because we’re going out there and showing the other people who are participating that we are there too and we’re available for anything you put us up to,” Hope said.
Lucy added that the club helps young people build confidence and leadership.
“Basically, it pushes us to be better, like learn new things. Leo stands for leadership, experience and opportunity.”
The club hopes more young people will join. “We always need new people, new ideas, new faces, people to grow,” Lucy said. “We are smart, we are brave, we have a drive, we need members that wants to make a change and put smiles on people’s faces.”
