June 30, 2025
We recently had the opportunity to participate in two significant international events focused on youth mental health and prevention. These gatherings brought together youth-focused nonprofits, mental health leaders, and changemakers from around the world, all united by a shared mission - to ensure young people everywhere have access to the mental health support they need and deserve.
We're incredibly proud to represent Australia on this global stage, showcase the impact of our programs in schools and universities, and connect with partners equally committed to empowering young people to lead the conversation on mental health.
batyr CEO Katie Acheson and Head of Major Gifts and Philanthropy Lucy Steggles attended the Rare Impact Fund’s first-ever capacity-building workshop in New York. This event brought together 30 youth-focused nonprofit organisations from across five continents, all united by a shared mission: ensuring young people everywhere can access the mental health support they need.
Collectively, these organisations are reaching over two million young people each year. The workshop focused on strengthening global networks, building sustainable impact, and advancing prevention-based mental health initiatives for young people.
Katie and Lucy heard from Rare Beauty’s Selena Gomez, as well as shared insights from our programs and workshops, highlighting the power of lived experience storytelling and peer-led education in reducing stigma and increasing help-seeking behaviour.
Following New York, we joined the NEXUS Global Summit, where Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex, spoke about his commitment to youth mental health, including through his foundation Archewell. He shared the importance of addressing the root causes of mental ill-health, particularly in the digital environment, and the critical role young people play in driving change.
When asked about a core takeaway for the sector, Prince Harry emphasised:
"Give a platform to young people. They come to issues with such a clear mindset. Let them in. Let them create the future they want. That’s a guiding light for me.”
This message directly aligns with batyr’s mission: empowering young people to be leaders and advocates for their own mental health and that of their peers.
batyr’s programs are designed to equip young people with the skills and confidence to safely and openly discuss mental health, connect with support early, and build communities where seeking help is normalised. By engaging in global forums like the Rare Impact Fund and NEXUS, batyr ensures that young Australians are part of a wider, global movement prioritising youth voices and prevention-based approaches.