Caring for Young People: Professional Development on Youth Mental Health

Speakers: Amy Yeung (née Deutscher), Program Coordinator, Mental Health & Pastoral Care Institute and Emma Argall, Greenhouse Manager at ADM and former high school teacher.

In September 2024, The Lancet Psychiatry Commission on youth mental health reported a staggering 50% increase in mental ill-health among Australian youth over the past two decades. The COVID-19 pandemic has only intensified the crisis, with the peak age of onset now at just 15 years old. By the age of 25, up to 75% of young people who will experience mental illness have already faced their first episode.

If you work with young people, you’ve likely seen this unfold firsthand. You also know the profound influence that technology, the internet, and social media have on youth mental health. While we long to support young people and share the love of Jesus, there is a clear gap in resources that address these issues both theologically and practically.

We’re here to help!

This Professional Development Day is designed to equip ministry staff and others who walk alongside young people with biblical, psychological, and practical wisdom. Together, we’ll explore how churches and youth groups can foster positive mental health among Australian youth, providing both spiritual and practical care in an increasingly complex world.

Join us for a day of learning, discussion, and encouragement. Morning tea will be provided. We’d love to see you there! 

Our doors will open at 9am with coffee and the training will commence at 9.30am.

Speakers: Amy Yeung and Emma Argall

Amy Yeung, Program Coordinator, Mental Health & Pastoral Care Institute & Mary Andrews College Lecturer. 

Amy has a passion for seeing young people thrive and has been working alongside them in voluntary and paid positions in Australia and Canada for sixteen years. She holds a Bachelor of Arts (Psychology), a Master of Social Health and Counselling, and a Master of Theological Studies (Applied Theology). Prior to joining the Mental Health and Pastoral Care Institute, she developed The Sanctuary Youth Series—a free mental health and faith film series that will help young people explore their key questions on this topic. 

Emma Argall, Greenhouse Manager at ADM

Emma worked as a high school teacher for more than twenty years before she took up her role at ADM, as well as being a mum to three excellent kids (11, 15 and 16). She is passionate about teenagers and is both fascinated and daunted by the opportunities and challenges of these crucial formative years. Her area of interest is relationship, sex and consent education against the backdrop of an increasingly complex and all-encompassing online world. Emma is passionate about equipping and inspiring her fellow grown-up humans (both those who follow Jesus and those who don’t) to be the kind of adults that our young people need us to be.

Founded by Keith and Sarah Condie, the Mental Health & Pastoral Care Institute exists to resource churches and Christian believers alike, so that we can all be better equipped to understand mental health and to serve and love others well. The Institute provides biblically and psychologically informed training and resources about mental health and healthy relationships for churches and individuals.