When Bilal* first connected with Youth Off The Streets in 2016, he was looking for a way to contribute to his community. What he didn’t expect was how much the experience would help him navigate his own challenges with mental health.
“I was first diagnosed with depression at 10 years old,” says Bilal. “It was due to bullying at school, but I don’t remember much of it – that’s actually a symptom of childhood depression.”
At 14, Bilal was also diagnosed with severe anxiety.
“If I were to take a test or if I was with people I didn’t know, I’d have panic attacks and sometimes black out,” he says.
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His anxiety also affected his memory, making everyday tasks seem impossible.
“I would just forget everything the second I walked out of a test – I just wouldn’t know anything I had done,” says Bilal.
Even getting his driver’s licence took six years because he couldn’t remember what went wrong after each failed attempt.
Facing anxiety and building leadership
Bilal was connected to Youth Off The Streets by his mum, who saw the impact the organisation had on other young people.
From there, Bilal was invited to join the Future Australian Multicultural Leaders in Youth (FAMLiY) group, a leadership initiative designed to give young people from diverse backgrounds a voice in shaping community programs and responses.
“We had a group of eight young people, mostly of Middle Eastern descent,” says Bilal. “We were the eyes and ears to what the needs of the community were.”
The FAMLiY group meets regularly to plan events and initiatives focused on issues concerning young people, such as alcohol and drug awareness, homelessness outreach, cultural festivals and consultations with government and organisations such as the United Nations.
For Bilal, being part of FAMLiY was a chance to contribute ideas and see them come to life.
“We had a lot of control over what we did,” he says, reflecting on one of his favourite events, an outreach festival in Lakemba, Sydney.
“I’d have ideas and we’d actually visualise them and make them happen,” he says. “We held a bunch of fun activities, but they were meaningful, too.”
For Bilal, even attending the FAMLiY group meetings was a challenge at first. He often felt overwhelmed in group settings, especially with people he didn’t know well.
“The first five or six meetings, I’d have a panic attack and go vomit in the bathroom,” he says.
“Early on it was hard – I got physically sick from being there because it was so far out of my comfort zone.”
Fatina, a Youth Off The Streets team member supporting the group, noticed the signs early on.
“We were constantly observing,” she explains. “One of the things we noticed with Bilal was the frequent trips to the bathrooms during meetings. His body language would change if I sat too close to him, so I’d make small adjustments to help him feel more comfortable.”
These subtle changes made a big difference.
Over time, the group began to feel like a safe space – a place where Bilal could show up, contribute and slowly build confidence.
“The FAMLiY group was creating a sense of belonging for him,” says Fatina. “We encouraged him to get more involved and pushed his capacity, because we could see his strengths – even if he couldn’t yet.”
“I was there, I was part of a team, and it was also with people that I’d never met before and wouldn’t actually meet otherwise,” says Bilal.
Eventually, Bilal began taking on more responsibility. He even took on public speaking roles – something he had previously never done due to his anxiety.
“I ended up emceeing at one of the biggest events that we had at Youth Off The Streets,” says Bilal. “It was a community dinner where we had Multicultural NSW and many other government agencies and stakeholders.”
“I was thrown in the deep end, but I did it.”
Family challenges
Bilal’s experience with mental health was also shaped by what was happening at home.
“In 2010, my cousin died of cancer,” he says. “He was my older brother’s closest confidant – his best friend.”
“My brother took it very badly and turned to drugs to ease the pain.”
Over time, things escalated, with Bilal’s brother also owing lots of money to various people and becoming reckless around the family.
“My parents ended up getting an AVO against him,” he says. “It’s hard, it hits close.”
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Looking ahead
Reflecting on his journey, Bilal has advice for other young people facing similar challenges.
“Find someone to speak to, whether it’s online or in person with a youth worker or friend,” he says. “Communication is the best way to start any progress.”
While Bilal didn’t join Youth Off The Streets with the intention of improving his mental health, the impact on it was undeniable.
“I didn’t join the FAMLiY group to help with my social anxiety and depression,” he says. “But I subconsciously knew that it was going to help me. My plan was to help people in the community and in doing so, I learned to better manage new situations and everyday stresses.”
Now, Bilal is building his future.
“I start my final term of university soon, which I’m looking forward to,” he says.
Bilal is studying building design management and is currently working in the construction industry to prepare for life after university.
Bilal’s journey with Youth Off The Streets wasn’t something he planned, but it became a turning point.
From struggling with panic attacks to contributing ideas, running events and speaking in front of big crowds, Bilal has come a long way.
His story is a reminder that healing doesn’t always start with a plan – it can begin with showing up, being seen and finding purpose in helping others.
*Name and image changed to protect the privacy of the young person.
