The Student Team of Mental Positivity, known as STOMP, at Finley High School formed 12 months ago.

They presented at their second forum at The Cube on Tuesday to show how they had been working to raise awareness of mental illness.

Year 10 student Hannah Heaney, 16, one of seven STOMP members, said she hoped it had helped reduce the stigma surrounding mental illness.

“We have held a trivia night and raised awareness of R U OK Day and the Butterfly Foundation for people affected by eating disorders,” Hannah said.

“We held team-building activities – it was just fun and brought people together.

“We put together the presentation last week with speeches and a video.

“We hope to continue working as a group when we go back to school and bring in some of the younger students.”

The forum is in its fifth year, funded by a range of youth and mental health services alongside community and sporting groups.

It aims to build resilience, reduce the stigma and inform young people of available services. 

Teenagers also learned how to recognise the signs of mental ill-health and were encouraged to take their findings back to their communities. 

About 182 students from 20 different schools throughout the Border and North East attended the Wodonga venue to hear guest speakers.

Headspace's national youth representative group's Charlie Cooper, 22, of Melbourne, spoke of his struggle with depression and anxiety. 

He said moving away from home and discussing that he was gay were both struggles he faced.

However, at the time Mr Cooper did not realise a headspace centre was nearby.

STOMP member Emma Marsden, 15, said Mr Cooper's personal story was a stand out.

“When you hear stories from people and their point of view, you understand what it's like for them,” she said.