URGENT UPDATE: Year 11 student Rhys Heinrich from Central Yorke School in Maitland has just returned from a transformative trip to Geneva, Switzerland, where he represented Australia at a prestigious conference hosted by the World Health Organization (WHO). This significant event, part of the Movember Youth Action Council (Mo-YAC), took place over four days, focusing on global mental health issues.
Rhys was selected at short notice to attend this pivotal meeting, which included critical discussions on the role of the WHO and the World Federation of United Nations Associations. “It was very short notice,” Rhys shared. “I wrote my presentation on the way home from the YP Field Days and recorded my video that night because the deadline was the next day.” Just a week after submitting his application, he received the exciting news he had been chosen, and within a month, he was on a flight to Geneva.
This conference brought together youth representatives from three countries: Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom. Rhys was one of only nine applicants selected across these nations. “I am quite passionate about men’s mental health, and the work Movember does is amazing and impactful,” he explained. “I feel it is important to voice the issue of men’s mental health on Yorke Peninsula and in South Australia, and this opportunity has helped do that.”
The experience was nothing short of extraordinary for Rhys, who expressed awe at being inside the WHO headquarters and in the executive board room, where historic meetings, including those on the eradication of smallpox and the COVID-19 response, were held. “It was really a theatrical experience,” he remarked, highlighting the significance of the venue.
Rhys’s passion for mental health advocacy was further ignited after attending a recent fundraiser where South Australia’s Commissioner of Police, Grant Stevens, spoke about his personal journey following the death of his son. “Hearing his story was really inspiring,” Rhys noted. “There is always a sense to be stoic and suppress feelings, and the goal is to challenge those traditional norms.”
This urgent initiative by the Movember foundation aims to elevate conversations around men’s mental health and break down societal barriers. Rhys’s participation not only underscores the importance of youth voices in global discussions but also emphasizes a broader commitment to addressing mental health challenges faced by young men today.
As the Movember Youth Action Council continues its efforts, Rhys’s experience serves as a powerful reminder of the impact youth can have on global health policies. What happens next? Rhys plans to share his insights and advocate for mental health awareness back home in South Australia, igniting further dialogue in his community.
Stay tuned for more updates on Rhys Heinrich and the ongoing initiatives from the Movember foundation as they strive to make a difference in the realm of mental health.
