Aboriginal Nations Torres Strait Islander HIV Youth Mob (ANTHYM)

HIV Australia | Vol. 13 No. 3 | December 2015

By James Saunders

ANTHYM is the first National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Youth Committee focused on sexual and reproductive health education for this generation and future generations.

ANTHYM will empower young people as they transition to adulthood through education and a greater understanding of healthy sexual lives.

This will involve halting increasing rates of HIV and other sexually transmissible infections, reducing risks associated with early sexual debut using a peer led holistic based approach.

ANTHYM currently consists of 10 passionate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth who are nurses, university students, and health workers with one thing in common – changing the face of health education and promotion to ensure it has reach, meaning and empowering messages for young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

ANTHYM was formed during the 2014 International Indigenous Peoples Conference on HIV/AIDS held in Sydney in July 2014 and a satellite conference of International AIDS Conference held in Melbourne.

James Ward was instrumental in the formation of ANTHYM, and we are very grateful for his guidance and mentorship.

Using modern methods of communication, ANTHYM is planning to build a national youth network database of young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples who are passionate about changing the conversations about sexual health in their communities. This is one of many projects planned for 2016.

Upon formation, ANTHYM produced a photographic series using catchy slogans to encourage young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to get tested.

The campaign was shot in Sydney with young upcoming Aboriginal models from around Australia volunteering their time to take part in the campaign.

For further information about ANTHYM and to see more ANTHYM campaign images visit: www.anthym.org and www.facebook.com/ANTHYMAUS

James Saunders is a founding member of Aboriginal Nations and Torres Strait Islander HIV Youth Mob (ANTHYM).