As part of the Learning for Life Youth Festival at Flinders Lane, the Hope. Connect. Thrive. Youth Forum invites young people and families into a dedicated wellbeing space designed to support real conversations, connection, and practical mental health skills.
Located in the Underground Wellbeing Space (Zone 6), this two-day forum runs across Thursday 17 and Friday 18 April in collaboration with the Townsville Youth Council. It’s a welcoming, drop-in environment where you can engage at your own pace—whether that’s staying for a full session or simply stepping in to listen, reflect, and connect.
Across Thursday, the forum will host a series of interactive workshops and presentations led by a range of speakers, each focused on supporting young people to better understand their mental health, build resilience, and navigate life’s challenges with confidence. These sessions are designed to be practical, relatable, and grounded in real experiences. Presenters will include – Carl Limberger, Arafmi, Lives Lived Well, LifeLine, Headspace and QYS.
On Friday, the program features a dedicated four-hour Art & Yarning workshop, Chase the Black Dog Away (10am–2pm), offering a deeper, hands-on experience centred around open conversation, creative expression, and culturally safe approaches to wellbeing. Please RSVP on 0478 599 035 if you are interested in this one as places are limited.
The Hope. Connect. Thrive. Youth Forum is about creating space—for honest conversations, for learning, and for community. It’s a place where young people can feel supported, heard, and reminded that they’re not navigating things alone.
This initiative is proudly supported by the Queensland Mental Health Commission, helping bring accessible, community-led wellbeing experiences to young people across Townsville.
We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the Townsville region, the Wulgurukaba of Gurambilbarra and Yunbenun and the Bindal people. We further acknowledge the Traditional Owners of Palm Island, the Manbarra people and the Historical Custodians the Bwgcolman people (many tribes). We pay our respects to their cultures, their ancestors and their Elders, past and present and all future generations. We also extend that respect to all the other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people from other regions who are a vital part of our community.
We acknowledge all people who have had any direct experience of suicide including those who have attempted suicide or those that have been impacted or bereaved by suicide. We acknowledge their courage and tenacity to carry and move through the immense pain. The voice of people with lived experience is essential in the development of the work that we do.
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