Patrick Darcy (CEO) and Lucinda Steggles (Chief Operating Officer) of batyr describe how the organization works to reduce stigma and improve mental health literacy among young people in Australia. Founded 13 years ago, batyr focuses on prevention and “plays upstream,” equipping young people with the tools and language to talk about mental health, seek help, and support one another before crises occur.

batyr trains young people to safely share their mental health stories in schools and through digital platforms. Each story highlights a journey of help-seeking and hope, following a structured and evidence-based model. The storytelling approach helps young audiences relate to peers who have faced similar challenges, normalizing open conversations about mental health. The organization’s digital platform, OurHerd, extends this approach beyond classrooms by hosting moderated video stories in a social media–style format accessible to young people around the world.

batyr’s work has been evaluated through long-term research partnerships with Australian universities and the Center for Social Impact. Its school programs have shown measurable impacts on stigma reduction and mental health literacy. Over time, the organization has seen greater awareness and government investment in youth mental health, though the crisis itself continues to worsen, with suicide remaining the leading cause of death for Australians under 25.

Their work includes:

• Delivering school-based storytelling programs led by trained young presenters.
• Creating OurHerd, a digital storytelling platform for youth mental health.
• Partnering with governments, funders, and research institutions to evaluate and strengthen impact.
• Gathering input from hundreds of young people across Australia to inform advocacy and program design.

Darcy and Steggles identify major challenges, including limited funding for prevention, high demand in schools, and the difficulty of meaningful collaboration in a time-poor sector. They argue that true partnership in mental health “requires time and difficult conversations” and that unrestricted funding is critical for organizations to evolve and respond to young people’s needs. As Darcy notes, batyr’s mission depends on maintaining space for honest stories: “Don’t moderate out my truth.”