NEXT GENERATION
JACOB SMITH
Social and Emotional Wellbeing Worker, Headspace
Yawuru and Nyulnyul man Jacob from Broome, WA, became a youth advocate after attending a youth suicide prevention forum three years ago.
“It was close to my heart; I’d lost family members and one of my best friends when I was 14 to suicide and that pushed me to help younger people,” the 24-year-old says.
He worked as an Indigenous Ranger for two years before moving into health advocacy as a volunteer, then gained a traineeship with Kimberley Aboriginal Medical Services (KAMS). Jacob works with Headspace as a Social and Wellbeing worker and his role continues to support young people and connect them to resources.
“Being on the ground and out there with young people is what we need more of. I direct conversation when doing advocacy with ministers and service providers that we need more engagement and things for young people to do and aspire to do.”
Jacob has organised two
