Fiona Wood gave the keynote speech at the inaugural Girls Health and Wellbeing Expo in Guildford on March 25. Photo: Jordyn Hullett.
Camera IconFiona Wood gave the keynote speech at the inaugural Girls Health and Wellbeing Expo in Guildford on March 25. Photo: Jordyn Hullett. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Helena College student draws 500 people to inaugural Girls Health and Wellbeing Expo

Sarah BrookesMidland Kalamunda Reporter

JORDYN Hullet’s (15) mission to help girls feel empowered and inspired has been branded a success after 500 people attended her very first Girls Health and Wellbeing Expo at the Guildford Town Hall.

The free event featured a range of local organisations and businesses who provide services to adolescent girls and included a keynote speech from former Australian of the Year Fiona Wood.

Helena College student Jordyn, who is doing the project as part of her International Baccalaureate Personal Project, said she chose to do the expo to help young women navigate the challenges of modern society.

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“An increasing number of teenage girls are suffering with mental health problems and are feeling more and more disconnected from themselves, their families, each other and their communities,” she said.

“I hope to create something that will inspire and empower today’s young women – by encouraging them to be confident in their abilities, to be kind, to stand together united, and to ask for help and support from each other when they need it.”

The City of Swan provided financial support under its What Say Youth grants program, which supports young people in local communities to increase leadership, participation, skill development and the awareness of young people’s needs and perspectives.

City of Swan Mayor David Lucas said the event demonstrated exceptional youth leadership.

“Young people are the drivers of change in our world, and I am proud the City could help empower Jordyn in this process,” he said.

Mission Australia’s latest research showed coping with stress, body image and depression were the main worries for teens, who also identified mental health as a key barrier to achieving their goals, along with academic ability and financial difficulty.

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