When it comes to mental health and wellbeing support in schools, students at The Forest High School are “literarily” leading the way.

The school has just launched the third edition of “Scrub Turkey”, a magazine written, edited and produced by the students, with this edition having a focus on mental health.

English teacher Lauren Weatherall describes the magazine as genuine, authentic and meaningful.

“It is written by students for students with a youth advocacy perspective. The stories they've chosen are personally meaningful to them, with the aim to inspire, connect and empower,” Ms Weatherall said.

Containing stories, poetry and factual articles, Scrub Turkey is designed to support and encourage young people in the Northen Beaches who may be having a hard time with their mental health.

Year 10 student Lily noted that there were many young people in the community who were dealing with mental health issues, but they needed to know that they were not alone.

“Scrub Turkey would be good for someone to read if they feel alone or if they feel like they don’t have anyone,” she said.

Fellow contributor and Year 11 international student from Cambodia, Chansathya agrees.

“I feel like I could share my feelings and past experiences with anxiety in my text,” he said.

Students met at the beginning of last year to decide on a theme and then spent the next few months writing and editing, with the final product launched in March at Westfields Warringah Mall.

Industry excursions to professional editors and publishers gave the students valuable experiences outside the classroom during the process.

“That was great. We were able to talk about their experience with writing, they gave us ideas on how to write stuff,” Lily said.

Open to any student at the school who wish to participate, Scrub Turkey is a collective, collaborative effort firmly based in student voice.

“Everyone deserves a platform and their unique voice and message to be heard; and this is what the magazine's about,” Ms Weatherall said.

Scrub Turkey is currently available at The Forestway Shopping Centre, or online at the school's websiteExternal link.