Daniel, like many other young people, has faced more than his fair share of challenges but with the help of Ladder is turning things around.

With one in seven young people aged four to seventeen years old experiencing a mental health condition in any given year[1], Daniel’s story is not uncommon.

Daniel had a history of self-harm, had become disengaged from school and required some support with his personal development and peer relationships.

He was referred to Ladder in early 2020, just prior to the New South Wales lockdown and engaged with the Ladder Step Up Sydney program digitally.

Daniel, along with the other program participants, learned about a range of topics including:

• fitness
• health and wellbeing
• resilience
• education
• employment
• life skills

In April, Daniel started at a new school, engaging once per week whilst attending Ladder Step Up Sydney sessions four days per week. He has attended almost every program session and has not missed a school session since commencing.

Daniel’s enthusiasm to continue attending both school and the Ladder Step Up Sydney program is a wonderful personal achievement and example of just how resilient young people can be.

[1] Lawrence D, Johnson S, Hafekost J, Boterhoven De Haan K, Sawyer M, Ainley J, Zubrick SR. (2015). The Mental Health of Children and Adolescents. Report on the second Australian Child and Adolescent Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing. Canberra: Department of Health.