Why it is important to talk about youth mental health?



TIPS FOR HOSTING A YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH &HEADSTRONG INFORMATION SESSIONThe Mental Health Commission of Canada (MHCC) wants to thank you for your critical participation in this national community conversation on youth mental health and how to support youth in becoming leaders for mental wellness. This document provides suggested steps for hosting your community meeting. Why it is important to talk about youth mental health? Mental health problems and mental illness in school-aged youth can be devastating, impacting not only the individual but family and friends. There are significant economic impacts if these problems don’t receive timely support, including costs for crisis health services, and parents or care givers missing days at work to take their child to medical appointments, and to deal with their own stress. This community meeting will explore the concerns around youth mental health and the short and long term effects caused when mental health problems are not addressed in a timely manner. We will bring interested community members and stakeholders under one roof to share what’s working and where the gaps exist when it comes to youth mental health in their communities and offer a potential solution that inspires and empowers young people to lead change. What is HEADSTRONG?The Mental Health Commission of Canada’s HEADSTRONG program is a proactive initiative that engages communities to support youth in becoming leaders and champions for mental wellness. HEADSTRONG is evidence-based, showing consistent results in reducing stigma, raising awareness, and inspiring youth to return to their schools and communities and share the message of hope. The program has two elements, a one-day summit where select groups of youth aged 12 and up gather to hear lived experience stories from trained individuals in recovery, and participate in activities that challenge stereotypes and encourage positive action. The second part of the program involves those young people planning and delivering anti-stigma and awareness-raising events throughout the year in their own schools, based on the ideas that come from the summit. HEADSTRONG gives youth the tools and confidence they need to open up the conversation about mental wellness and mental illness, encouraging help-seeking and help-giving within a tried and tested structure. HEADSTRONG will provide a starting point for a discussion and an achievable action that will create immediate positive change. What Materials Are Available to Host a Meeting As an MP you have received a kit that provides you with templates and background information on how to host a community meeting on youth mental health and the HEADSTRONG initiative. Support is available from the Commission’s HEADSTRONG team, contactable at headstrong@mentalhealthcommission.ca .We would recommend contacting the team so that we can assist you with finding guest speakers in the field of youth mental health. You may also wish to set aside a table at your meeting for community resource pamphlets that can be provided by guest speakers or participants.Suggested Rollout Outlined below are key items to consider when planning and implementing your Youth Mental Health – HEADSTRONG community meeting. Please refer to additional template materials provided in this kit to help facilitate and create awareness of your discussion.#338conversations ChecklistDateActivity3 Weeks PriorChoose a dateBook a locationChoose a meeting format (Panel, town hall or roundtable etc)Contact the HEADSTRONG team for guest speaker contacts headstrong@mentalhealthcommission.caConfirm AV materials neededInvite stakeholders, community advocates, panelists, etc.Customize materials in the event kit – support is available from the MHCC Notify MHCC of location and date so it can be promoted on their websiteCreate content for social media (refer to enclosed Tweet sheet for tips)Post meeting posters in high traffic areas2 Weeks PriorDistribute materials to community papers and media (Op-ed, News Release)Place public notice in community paper and calendar of events Issue news release1 Week Prior Promote event through social media - hashtags etc. provided in your kitPitch media for interviewsDraft and deliver agenda for the meetingA Final Checklist of Meeting MaterialsCoffee, Tea, WaterLocation Signs and tapeBoxes of KleenexTable for local informational material Identify meeting note takerSign-in sheet for participantsPower Point slidesReview discussion guideAV1 Week PostThank you letters to invited guests (See template)Submit feedback and potential for a HEADSTRONG event to MHCC Send feedback to Mental Health Commission of Canada HEADSTRONG team at headstrong@mentalhealthcommission.ca Website: Suggested Time Line Date: (Week Day), (Month Day), 2017, (Location City)Youth Mental Health – HEADSTRONG: Public Conversation– Member of Parliament, (Name) invites all community members to engage in a community conversation initiated by the Mental Health Commission of Canada at (location) to explore a proactive approach to youth mental wellness and illness. Upon Arrival:Insert details if applicable (i.e. directions, parking, registration) Event Scenario:Meetings would be held in a community centre, library, school gym or an accessible location of the MPs choice. The room set up is to reflect the meeting format (panel, town hall). Coffee, tea, water and cookies could be offered to attendees. Contact Information:Member of Parliament and Staff(Name)(Number)(email)Mental Health Commission of Canada:(Name)(Number)(email)Stakeholders (if applicable)(Name)(Number) (email)Suggested Agenda Set-Up(time – 90 min. prior)Staff arrive on siteAV set-up in (location)Tables and chairs set upRegistration table and info table set-up , feedback form on every chairCoffee and tea, refreshments, set upEvent(time- 30 min. prior)VIP and Stakeholders arrive at (location)(time- 15 min. prior)Doors open and registration begin (time- 90 min)5 min10 min20 min5 min20 min10 min5 minMP Welcomes guestsIntroduces VIP/Stakeholders (if applicable)Explains meeting formatStates media policies*Introduction of the topic Goals for the meetingSlide show and notes – guest speakerHEADSTRONG video (Launch or First Nations/Rural or national)Drafted questions and group discussionGroup shares ideas, next stepsMP delivers closing remarks(Time – 15 min.)Coffee and tea service continue Event Conclusion(time)Room teardown * Note to Media:Media are welcome to attend the meeting, however, for privacy reasons; no recording devices will be permitted inside the meeting. On the record interviews should take place prior to, or following the meeting. #338conversations ................
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