Tomorrow Me, an Australian app in the works to enable young Victorians struggling to find a job, to build resilience and improve mental wellbeing, is in its development stage, with VicHealth participating with a contribution of up to $235,000 on a prototype.
The app should show young people they “are not just their job, nor are they defined by under- or unemployment.”
Although, some people like Dr. Bella d’Abrera, from the Institute of Public Affairs, believe that the app is a waste of money. Dr. d’Abrera’s opinion is that building resistance is not a trait learned from an app, and that it is something which needs to be learned through life’s challenges and hurdles. Dr. d’Abrera believes that it is a misguided attempt to teach young people to be resilient and that such an app will achieve the opposite effect, by keeping young people in a state of permanent childhood.
But VicHealth mental wellbeing manager Irene Verins said young people were facing a more volatile workplace than ever before.
Research shows that nearly one in three adults aged 18-24 is currently looking for more work. Also, it takes the average student graduating from university, approximately 4.7 years to land a full-time job, compared to just one year back in 1986.
Verins said the extended gap hurts mental wellbeing, and that there is a very strong relationship between youth unemployment and decreased mental health. Verins said, “(The app) is something that could be light, fun and engaging on a serious issue.”
The Tomorrow Me app’s contract for the prototype should be awarded next month. The app is intended to be developed and tested between February and June of this year.
