Youth

Flavoured clouds? More like hidden dangers! 🚫 From lung issues to cancer risks, vapes aren’t as sweet as they seem. 💨 Find out more at vapingexposed.initiatives.qld.gov.au #antismoking #antivaping #vaping #notovapes #clearthecloud #vapeaware

This week, we celebrated the launch of the Queensland Indigenous Youth Leadership Program (QIYLP) for 2023! QIYLP is an annual leadership program offered to young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, designed to assist them in creating positive change in their communities. The program empowers these passionate individuals with skills, knowledge, and support to become the leaders of tomorrow. Massive thanks to @glencore.aus for their continuous support! #QueenslandYouth #QIYLP #YouthEmpowerment #YouthLeadership #YouthVoice #YouthAdvocacy #FutureLeaders #LeadershipJourney #InspireChange

The Queensland Government has some exciting news! 🌟 To help ease cost of living pressures for households experiencing vulnerability, a $10 million "Enable Grants Program" is currently being launched for NGOs. This initiative will directly support NGOs to give energy efficiency advice and help for young people including low-income earners, renters, those with disabilities, seniors, and First Nations peoples, making life more affordable. 🌱💡 It's all part of the Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan's mission to reduce cost of living pressures on households and encourage energy efficiency! 🍃💼 For more details, check out 🏄‍♂️ www.business.qld.gov.au/enable #queenslandyouth #enablegrantsprogram #queenslandenergyandjobsplan #queenslandenergyandjobsfund

Have you ever heard of "toxic positivity"? 🤔 It's basically the belief that you should strive to maintain a positive mindset in every situation. ⚠️ As we know, it's important to have a positive outlook on life for our mental wellbeing, but toxic positivity suggests that you should try to avoid or reject unpleasant feelings like sadness, anger, or grief. 🫣 Toxic positive thinking can have you avoiding real problems and hiding your true feelings. 😵‍💫 It can also have the people who come to you for support feeling like you're shaming them or minimising their feelings. 👎 Remember, it's ok to not be ok. 💭 You can manage negative emotions, but you shouldn't deny them. 🧘‍♂️ When people come to you for support, you should focus on listening to them and letting them know you are there. #QueenslandYouth #QLDYouth #ToxicPositivity Artwork: @crazyheadcomics

Buy now, pay later companies have taken the world by storm over the last few years. What are the pros and cons of using these services when spending money? Here are some key takeaways 👇 💰 Buy now, pay later can create a false sense of financial security, and you can very easily lose track of your expenses. This can have a negative impact on your savings goals. 💰 These type of repayment programs can negatively affect your future loan applications if you fail to make payments. 💰 Buy now, pay later programs offer convenience and can help make payments more manageable, but you should be selective when you use these services. #QueenslandYouth #BuyNowPayLater

Spending time in nature has some seriously big benefits for your mental wellbeing 🧠🌿 Whether it is a quick stroll through the park or watching the sun rise (for those us who are early risers 😴), being outdoors can help you feel a deeper connection with the world around you. Strong mental wellbeing gives you resilience in the face of life’s challenges and is something we can all benefit from. By taking just a few minutes to focus on mental wellbeing activities (like spending time outdoors) each day, you’ll see big improvements. What outdoor activity will you add to your week? 📆

Getting your 30 minutes of physical activity in each day doesn't have to be hard. 🧘‍♀️ There are so many easy ways to stay active during the holidays that don't require money or equipment. 🥳 How do you get your 30 minutes? 👇 #QueenslandYouth #StayingActive

The rental market is pretty tough right now but if you are looking for a place, inspecting a rental property before signing a lease is important. 🏠 If you're heading to an inspection here are some things to look out for ⬇️ 🚒 Does it have working smoke alarms and a safety switch in the electricity meter box? (Smoke alarms and a safety switch are required by Queensland law.) 🔒 Are the locks on the doors and windows secure? Do they work? 💧 Are any water-saving devices installed? This is important if you have to pay for water. 🛠️ Do you notice any repairs needed? 🌱 What size is the yard (if there is one)? Will you be able to look after the garden and lawns? What are some things you look for when inspecting? 👇 #QueenslandYouth

There's a common misconception that addiction is habitual. 💭 When people are becoming addicted to a substance, the process is actually changing the hardwiring of their brain. 🧠 Repeated use of drugs and alcohol can also damage the essential decision-making centre at the front of the brain (the prefrontal cortex). 🤯 Many people with addiction consume drugs and/or alcohol to reduce bad feelings or "withdrawals" rather than for any pleasurable effects. ☹️ The most effective way to combat addiction is to prevent it. 🚫 If you think you may have an addiction, or are at risk of one, head to the comments for resources. 👇 #QueenslandYouth #Addiction #SubstanceAbuse

Is 3 days too long to eat leftovers? 🥡 Yes, to reduce the risk of food poisoning leftovers should be eaten within 2 days and you need to reheat them for at least 2 minutes, or until steaming hot. 🍲 Tag a mate who needs a reminder. 🤢 #foodsafety #qldyouth

Have you moved recently or are you planning to sometime soon? 🏠 It might seem annoying, or a 'future you' problem, but updating different places with your new address is very important. Remembering who you need to notify can be tricky, so we've taken the hassle away 🤯. Here's a checklist to use or save, for all the places you may need to inform of your new deets ✌️ Are there any other places we've missed? 🤔

Burnout looks different for everyone 😔. For some, it could look like headaches or fatigue 🤯, while to others it could mean a change in mood or energy 🌩️. It's normal to have a bad day every now and then, but if you're constantly feeling exhausted, drained or unmotivated at work or school, you may be burnt out. If you're feeling burnout, try ⬇️ 🚶Get some movement in your day 🥗 Eat nutritious food and cook with colour 💌 Spend time with loved ones 📚 Spend some time alone doing what you really enjoy 🧘‍♂️ Practise some big, deep breaths How do you recharge? 👇

It's next to impossible to work, read, study, socialise and practise a hobby without some type of screen involved 📱💻📺. But, looking at a screen for too long without a break can cause eye strain and leave your eyes 👁️ feeling tired and dry at the end of the day. After 20 minutes of staring at a device, look away and try one of the below exercises 👇 👉 Look at something across the room and draw a figure 8 with your eyes 👉 Roll your eyes and look left and right without moving your head 👉 Cup your palms over your closed eyes until all the light fades to black Share your eye exercises with us below 👇 #TakeABreak #StudyHack #QueenslandYouth #EyeStrain #ScreenBreak

Sexual consent isn’t only about agreeing to have sex, it includes things like holding someone’s hand, hugging or kissing. 😘 The more you talk about consent and practise having the conversation, the more confident you will become. Consent is important to maintain healthy relationships and make you and your partner feel safe and respected. Last week we spoke about the ways you can ask for consent. Here are some ways you can give consent and some ways you can show that you don't give consent. ⬇️ #QueenslandYouth #Consent #SexualHealth

Learning to cook is such an important skill to learn, but sometimes, you might not feel up to it. 😫 While ordering takeaway seems like an easy idea, a microwave meal could be a cheaper and healthier option. Some ready-made options can be a good alternative to your mi-goreng or loaded fries 🌯. In fact, some dietians are endorsing microwave meals as many are more nutritionally balanced. Look out for low sodium 👇 and high protein 👆. A general rule of thumb is to eat a meal with colour (hello, fruits and vegetables). Remember, it's a 'sometimes' alternative! What's your go to meal at the moment? 🤔

We've all heard of the saying, "You can't pour from an empty cup." 🥛 So, here are some small things you can do to look after your mental wellbeing and help fill your cup. 🚰 How do you reset each day? 👇 #QueenslandYouth #MentalWellbeing

Your mental wellbeing is the unique way that you handle your emotions, respond to stress and also your general outlook on life 🧠 Having a healthy sense of mental wellbeing has many benefits 💪 It lifts your mood, promotes resilience in difficult situations and helps you get the most out of life. It doesn’t matter who you are, where you live or how you’re feeling – taking a few moments for yourself each day will help you be a happier and more resilient you. We've listed a few ways you could practice mental wellbeing. What else would you add?

Have you ever struggled to get your message across clearly and confidently? Well, don't worry, you're not alone! Clear communication is a skill that takes practise and effort to master. 💪 Don't forget to consider who you are talking to, and adapt your communication style to suit the situation. Here are some tips to help you improve your communication skills 👇 💬 Remember, effective communication is key to building strong relationships and achieving success in all areas of life. #QueenslandYouth

Is checking your bank account a source of anxiety? 😓 You're not alone! 👋 Addressing the fear associated with checking your account is a necessary first step to getting your finances on track. ⬇️ Here's some tips to start working on it: 🤑 Start small: commit to a short but regular date with your bank account. You can start by simply checking your balance once a week and writing it down. 🤑 Know yourself: if you tend to get anxious, time it right and check your account when you're in a better headspace. 🧠 🤑 Start thinking about the specifics: once you're feeling more comfortable with checking your general balance, you can start tracking important numbers and planning a budget. If you can relate to this post, let someone else know they're not alone. ⬇️

The greenhouse effect is a process that occurs when gases in the Earth's atmosphere trap the Sun's heat. ☀️ This process makes Earth a comfortable place to live. 🌎 Here are a few things to know. 👇⁣ ⁣ 👉 Human activities are changing Earth's natural greenhouse effect. Burning fossil fuels like coal and oil puts more carbon dioxide into our atmosphere.⁣ ⁣ 👉 Plants can help to balance the greenhouse effect on Earth. ⁣ ⁣ 👉 The ocean also absorbs a lot of excess carbon dioxide in the air. Unfortunately, the increased carbon dioxide in the ocean changes the water, making it more acidic and this can be harmful to many ocean creatures.⁣ ⁣ We can all do our bit to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and the greenhouse effect. ♻️ You can try reducing your energy usage, taking public transport or walking when you can, or making a conscious effort to reduce, reuse, or recycle your waste. 💪⁣ ⁣ #QueenslandYouth #GreenhouseGases ⁣

Self-care doesn't have to be "productive". 🕊️ In fact, a big part of self-care is learning to be ok with doing nothing at all. 💤 Here are a few cute ideas for your next date with yourself. ⬇️ ⁣ ⁣ Remember:⁣ 🍿 Self-care activities reduce stress and anxiety. ⁣ 🍿 Self-care helps us practice stillness and explore ourselves. ⁣ 🍿 The most important moments of self-reflection and growth come from stillness. ⁣ ⁣ How do you practise self-care? 💭⁣

Healthy relationships can look different to everyone, but it's important to also recognise some patterns of behaviour that are not acceptable and can lead to power imbalances and abuse. ⚠️ If you think you're in an unhealthy relationship, there are resources available. Head to the link in bio 🔗⁣ ⁣ Artwork: @crazyheadcomics

Do you send these food items to the bin often? Here's how you can avoid throwing these four items away. ⬇️ These simple tips will help you save money and reduce waste. ⁣ ⁣ ⁣ 🍞 Bread can go in the freezer and last up to 3 months! If you're making toast, the frozen slices can go straight into the toaster, otherwise thaw the whole loaf out on the counter when you're ready to use it all. ⁣ ⁣ 🥩 Uncooked beef can be stored in the freezer for 3 - 6 months, depending on the type and cut. Remember to date the meat.⁣ ⁣ 🧀 To make cheese go the distance, wrap it in baking paper, and place it in an airtight container in the fridge. ⁣ ⁣ 🥗 For leafy greens, store unwashed in an airtight bag, and keep away from other fruits and veggies. ⁣ ⁣ ⁣ How do you make your food last longer? 📢⁣ ⁣ ⁣ #QueenslandEnvironment #QueenslandYouth #FoodWaste

Do you know how to spot a scam? 🤔⁣ ⁣ Cybercriminals use email, SMS, phone calls and social media to trick you into opening an attachment, visiting a website, or revealing account login details or sensitive information.⁣ ⁣ Ways to protect yourself from scams include 👇⁣ 👉 Updating devices⁣ 👉 Activating 2 step authentication⁣ 👉 Backing up devices ⁣ 👉 Setting up secure passwords⁣ ⁣ Here are some tell tale signs that something might not be right ⬇️⁣ ⁣ #QueenslandYouth #CyberCrime

There's a common misconception that addiction is habitual. 💭 When people are becoming addicted to a substance, the process is actually changing the hardwiring of their brain. 🧠 Repeated use of drugs and alcohol can also damage the essential decision-making centre at the front of the brain (the prefrontal cortex). 🤯⁣ ⁣ Many people with addiction consume drugs and/or alcohol to reduce bad feelings or "withdrawals" rather than for any pleasurable effects. ☹️ The most effective way to combat addiction is to prevent it. 🚫 If you think you may have an addiction, or are at risk of one, head to the comments for resources. 👇⁣ ⁣ If you or someone you know is at risk of addiction, or struggling with addiction, call Adis on 1800 177 833, or 13 HEALTH (13 43 25 84). ⁣ ⁣ #QueenslandYouth #Addiction #SubstanceAbuse