Youth Advisory | Australia’s Mental Health Think Tank

Kailin Guo (23, Perth WA)
I was involved in local youth advisory councils Cambridge Youth Network and Subi Voice of Youth for four years and eight years respectively. I was a Youth Consultant for the ‘Young People’s Mental Health and Alcohol and Other Drug Use: Priorities for Action 2020-2025’, where my team designed and delivered two summits for young people to work together on how the WA Government can action those priorities. I am currently studying Doctor of Medicine, aspiring to become a psychiatrist. I want to create a society where all young people are empowered to positively change the world around them. 

Dominik Mautner (19, Sydney, NSW)
I am currently studying three degrees (Medical Science, Law, and Innovation) and languages for interpreter with a government scholarship. Besides enjoying writing scientific articles, I am a peer-reviewer and associate editor for a global journal and a member of COPE (Committee on Publication Ethics). I have been engaged in youth advocacy for many years, mainly in the areas of youth health, but also in sustainability and equity. My dedication to community service (receiving ‘Youth of the Year’ and other distinguished Service awards) led me to national level advocacy such as the City of Sydney youth board and becoming an Olympic Changemaker supporting younger athletes. On an international level I was part of the Global Citizen Youth Leadership and the Harvard Innovation Challenge. At present, I am engaged in several global initiatives such as the Youth Solutions Labs (UNICEF and Lancet Commission) and the UN Unlock the Future Coalition. Besides being passionate about health research, I love to immerse myself in different world cultures and languages (7 languages); lived and went to school in 3 countries; and I am an elite athlete in the Australian National Squad having represented Australia at international competitions including 3 World Championships. At the University of Sydney, I was selected as co-chair of the inaugural HAPYUS youth advisory board for youth health research into chronic disease as well as being chosen into the inaugural Triple E Expert Advisory Group and as a YMHAT youth researcher. I am enthusiastic about youth participation and advocacy, because it offers me the possibility to shape our world, drive relevant change, and be a positive voice for our generation. I believe, young people have unique insights and goals for our global future and thus I hope to be able to contribute in a meaningful way to an equitable, sustainable, and healthy future.

Danica Meas (24, Naarm Melbourne, VIC)
Alongside YMHAT, I have participated in various youth programs including The Y’s Youth Parliament Victoria program (2024) and Ethnic Communities’ Council of Australia’s (ECCV) Intercultural Young Advocacy Leadership program (2021-2023). Since 2021, I have worked with VicHealth as a Future Healthy Champion, promoting health and wellbeing initiatives. In 2022, I graduated with a Bachelor’s of International Studies from RMIT University and a Diploma of Community Services from Box Hill Institute. I hold lived experience of mental ill-health and inter/transgenerational trauma as my parents and elders were refugees who left Cambodia due to genocide. As such, advocating for increased mental health awareness and support is important to me as I hope to help build a future where mental health is de-stigmatised, and open conversations can be held to support our collective wellbeing.

Fulin Yan (17, Sydney, NSW)
I was the Youth Minister for Health, Mental Health, and Sports (The Y NSW Youth Parliament Program). I was also involved in the Health Advisory Panel for Youth at the University of Sydney (HAPYUS) and the Triple E project. I am currently pursuing a concurrent candidature of Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor Criminology and Bachelor of Arts (Psychological Sciences)/Bachelor of Business (Human Resource Management). I am a keen believer of Youth Participation because I believe it is crucial for fostering a healthier, more resilient, and productive generation.