Year 12 student Phoebe Hooper has won an award for his work advocating for youth in the Katherine community.
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The young achiever was nominated for the Mental Health Week Young Persons Award by senior project officer at Headspace Katherine, Heidi Walsh.
Ms Walsh said she had heard about Mr Hooper’s community contributions long before she met him.
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“Phoebe has done some amazing work increasing awareness in the LGBTQ+ community as well as raising funds for Headspace through his organisation Keep Talking,” Ms Walsh said.
Mr Hooper is currently a youth representative for the highly anticipated Katherine Headspace.
His work in advising on LGBTQ+ and youth issues as well as contributing ideas for services and relevant programs to be implemented in Headspace were factors which led to his nomination.
“To make young people in the Northern Territory feel like they can be themselves is Phoebe’s Keep Talking slogan and that really resonates with us,” Ms Walsh said.
For me building close and connected relationships is part of being a human and Phoebe supports this building of connection to community through the groups he runs and supports.
- Heidi Walsh
One in five Australians are affected by mental illness, with people living in remote areas feeling it more so than city folk.
“That sense of feeling connected in community is a really important aspect in mental health and Phoebe is working really hard in that space,” Ms Walsh said.
Mr Hooper attended the award ceremony last Wednesday in Darwin at the Government House.
He said it was an honour to be recognised for his contributions in the community as well as outside of it.
Mr Hooper has won more than one prestigious award for his dedication to creating awareness around LGBTQ+ and youth issues in Katherine.
If you or anyone you know needs help, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14, Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800, or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 46 36.
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