Not So Lazy Millennials Proving Older Generations Wrong
- Be Better Buzz Author
- May 22, 2018
- 6 min read
By Taylor Dearnley //
Millennials. They’re referred to as the good-for-nothing generation who seem to be getting lazier by the day. They spend too much time on their phones and too much time on their laptops. They are so narcissist that they only care about themselves. They don’t have jobs and live at home longer than any generation before them. Yet, people like Brodie Mack and Olivia Trahair are defying the stereotype and demonstrating how many millennials are choosing to give their time to help others and make society a better place.
Brodie (19) and Olivia (18) are two young people that have grown up in Perth and have always been interested in leadership. They are that friend that people turn to when they need help or just someone to talk to in general. It’s these qualities and attributes that led both teens to discovering zero2hero.
Zero2hero is a WA-based association that aims to increase the understanding of mental health issues and mental health awareness amongst youth and children, through various programs and events. It relies not only upon the sponsors for donations through events and fundraisers, but it also has a strong reliance on the volunteer work performed by the youth members. Zero2hero has been getting lots of attention in the past few years, as both Olivia and Brodie mentioned when speaking about the organisation.
Q AND A WITH BRODIE AND LIV:
How did you get involved with zero2hero and what is it? Brodie: Well zero2hero is a WA based not for profit organisation that works to educate students and young people on the importance of mental health and because of it being not for profit, our programs are run by donations and sponsorships. I joined in 2015, after seeing the zero2hero leadership camp advertised. I was thinking about going for head boy at school at the time and so I thought it was a good opportunity. When I was there I got to work on leadership skills that I definitively didn’t have before and I learnt heaps about myself as a leader. Even more so, I learnt about the importance of mental health and educating people about it. Olivia: Zero2hero was recommended to me by a friend. I had always been involved in leadership positions and at the time I had a friend who was struggling but was unsure what to do about it, I was sort of his outlet so it was actually quite a lot of pressure on me. Through zero2hero I discovered so much about myself and got all the personal benefits, but I also was more educated on how to properly talk to people struggling, in way that would help not only them but also myself.
What does your role in zero2hero involve? Brodie: As a program facilitator I basically aid school programs and workshops and then mentor students who are going on their first camp or anything like that. It’s crazy to watch people go through the camps and see them experience things that I experienced before I became a mentor. It’s really good to have been a student and a volunteer and now a mentor because I get to experience it all. Olivia: The youth volunteer position is for Camp Hero graduates, and allows them to return to camp and give back to an organisation that has impacted them. Within the position, we work in the kitchen, and provide a student perspective for the campers, presenting the 'real life' benefits camp can offer. It’s so special to watch the students grow through the camp program as we were once them and understand what they're experiencing. I always say I’d do anything to go back to being a student because it really is a once in a lifetime opportunity.
What was your first camp experience like? Brodie: Well, I’ve been on about nine camps but my first experience was very eye-opening. It taught me so much about myself and made me even more passionate about helping others in the mental health sector than before. It helped me find my passion for sure. Olivia: To be honest, it’s really hard to explain what it’s like unless you’ve actually been on a camp. It’s the safest I’ve ever felt because it’s such a judgement-free zone and allows people to be their true selves. The Camp Hero experience as a whole was super empowering; I came into it [camp] knowing that I wanted to help people but unsure how I could. After to camp, I was equipped with the skills and knowledge to be able to do exactly that.
How does zero2hero help the community? Brodie: Zero2hero helps the community by educating and empowering the youth to be mental ambassadors, by encouraging them to strike up the conversation about mental health and suicide. We believe that through open communication mental health problems can be effectively dealt with and suicide can prevented. Olivia: There are many ways that zero2hero spreads the word and raises money. Apart from the camps, we also have zero2hero Day, a corporate gala event called Hero by Night, a Mental Health Breakfast and so much more.
Let's go into more detail about the camps and events. Brodie: So there is about seven different camps that all focus on different things. Some camps are about leadership, some are focussed on sports and some help just boys specifically. There's heaps of different focusses. A major funder is the zero2hero Day that schools have. Basically, students give a gold coin donation if they come to school dressed as their favourite superhero, with the all the money raised obviously going to zero2hero. Olivia: Some other interesting events include the In Your Head Forum, which is an all day excursion for high school students and teachers. Throughout the day there are keynote speakers, students panels and breakout sessions which can include laughing yoga, dance classes and effective ways to deal with stress. Each year the forum has a different theme, this years being "do what makes you happy", therefore all speakers and breakout sessions will be focused on that. There is also an event called Parental Guidance Recommended, where parents can listen to keynote speakers and panels about how to openly communicate with, and help their children.
How much of your time do you dedicate to zero2hero? Brodie: I have meetings at least three times before every camp to organise what will happen, I’m constantly talking to Ash (zero2hero founder) about new things and new ideas. There are at least six camps a year and then all the events on top of that. Olivia: I have no set amount of time, but I've volunteered twice over the past two years. Where I can, I also volunteer at different events, such as sausage sizzles, fundraisers and festivals.
How successful do you think zero2hero is for students who attend the camps that you volunteer at? Brodie: I think people definitely take it back to their school in terms of being mentally health aware and the core values of people who go on these camps, they come back and share these with other people which helps make a huge difference. Although, it has proven pretty difficult to change the mentality of some teachers in relation to the way they approach mental health. We are also trying really hard to reach out to the rural areas, through thing like the Rhys Connor scholarship which pays (for accomidation and transportation) for one student from a rural area to come to one of the camps. Olivia: Well across the year, on average, zero2hero reaches around 80 000 students through events such as Camp Hero and school speaker programs. To date there are also 570 people apart of the camp alumni and I believe it is so successful because you learn so much about yourself and leader you can be within your (school) community.
How much has zero2hero impacted you personally? Brodie: As I said before zero2hero has helped me find my passion and helped me to better understand myself as a person and as a leader. It has helped me build really strong connections and friendships. It literally helped me save someone's life, it was like being a real life hero. Although someone suffering doesn't always understand the lengths you have to go to, it isn't about making friends, it's about keeping them. Olivia: Zero2hero has impacted me in many ways, however it's especially prevalent in the way I now talk to someone who is struggling. As I was taught on camp, you can't make promises, even if asked to. Ultimately, you might have to break a promise, which could hurt the feelings of the person you made a promise to. However you should try and be honest and tell them that you will do what you have do to keep them alive, even if that means breaking, or not keeping, a promise.
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It's clear; not all young people are stereotypically 'lazy' and if these two teens are anything to go by, millennials are one of the most caring generations to date. From now on associations won't have to wait for retirees to find their volunteers. Maybe the future isn't so grim after all.
CAMP HERO: Youth Mental Health Leadership Camp
Video credit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A5XL1cRWMp0&t=273s
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