Programs

This one-hour interactive assembly engages youth through shared lived experience. Trained youth speakers utilize educational exercises and interactive activities. Educational components on mental health and wellness are incorporated to provide a positive platform to discuss challenges and coping tools. Youth Speakers will share their raw and relatable real-life stories that include messages of hope, resilience, decision making, self-awareness, inclusivity, respect, perseverance and empowerment.

Youth Speakers share their personal stories as an educational tool to give key messages about kindness, wellness, inclusivity, emotions and self acceptance. Through interactive activities, students will learn how to identify their own feelings and begin to understand how they can help their minds and bodies feel good.

This one-hour interactive and educational assembly for students surrounds substance abuse. Youth Speakers share their personal stories and include and include messages related to decision making, mental health challenges, choices, inclusivity, empathy, respect, resiliency, hope, coping tools and self-regulation. Students will gain insight into the impact of substance abuse and the importance of developing and utilizing coping tools and supports. Extending awareness of the effects, triggers, and challenges of substance misuse.

This one-hour interactive and educational assembly for students surrounds substance abuse. Youth Speakers share their personal stories and include and include messages related to decision making, mental health challenges, choices, inclusivity, empathy, respect, resiliency, hope, coping tools and self-regulation. Students will gain insight into the impact of substance abuse and the importance of developing and utilizing coping tools and supports. Extending awareness of the effects, triggers, and challenges of substance misuse.

This one-hour assembly will provide students with a deeper look into the impact that online use and social media may have on their mental health. Engaging activities will educate youth on the effects of technology use has on their physical, social, emotional health and wellbeing; signs and symptoms of problematic usage of social media; dangers such as cyberbullying, and misuse of technology. Youth Speakers will provide real life experiences and personal example of how online use has affected their self esteem, choices, social groups, and self concept. Youth Speakers will also provide messages of hope, empowerment, empathy, inclusivity, respect, self awareness, positive self talk, coping strategies and how to live a balanced lifestyle. Students will leave with a greater understanding of the choices they are making online and how to interact and use technology in a healthier way.

This one-hour interactive assembly explores how our mind and body are so closely connected. Students will be guided through information on how important it is to take care of both your physical and mental health. Youth Speakers will provide real life experiences with challenges such as body image from a mental health perspective relating to nutrition and fitness. Students will leave with a greater understanding of positive choices, kindness, empathy, respect and coping tools they can use to take care of their overall health.

In this 45-minute assembly youth speakers team up with players from the Toronto Marlies to bring a strong message about resilience, inclusivity, respect, perseverance, character and overcoming obstacles. In this assembly students will benefit from hearing the youth speakers’ personal stories as well be motivated by the voice of professional hockey players (Afternoons only, some limitations on location & based on School Day game ticket sales)

These sessions follow a large group assembly to provide the opportunity to address other topics in a more inclusive space with opportunity for more open discussions. Youth speakers use interactive educational components to help students critically analyze these topics and develop take-away coping tools and skills. Other topics include: Healthy Relationships; Body Image and Self Esteem; Gaming; Social Media; Stigma; Coping Strategy/ Self-Regulation Toolbox; Inclusivity and Kindness; Choices & Decision Making; Addiction

Interactive workshops for up to 60 participants provide students with a brief background of speakers’ personal stories and experiences with mental health related challenges. Youth speakers will guide the students through an interactive session of educational components and learning tools that will help them with themes such as building self-awareness, inclusivity, perseverance, coping tools and resilience.

This interactive workshop will focus on personal strengths, help build self confidence, and provide a safe, fun environment to practice public speaking skills.

Participants will:

• Discover their inner strengths, stage presence, and confidence in their abilities.
• Learn tools for dealing with self-doubt and nervousness
• Build a basic understanding of organizing and presenting a speech

Youth with lived experience share their personal stories on mental health and related issues to create a safe space for participants to ask for help, give hope and aid in educating audiences and support conference objectives. Information on various challenges and issues will be provided to increase awareness and decrease stigma. Tips and strategies to help support yourself and others will be provided along with a list of resources are provided.

Youth drug awareness conference held in March each year provides students with an opportunity to hear the personal stories of youth speakers, engage in fun activities such as breakdance, martial arts, slam poetry, graffiti arts, belly dance, knitting. As well, explore community agency interactive booths and demos.

• Increase understanding of issues relevant to today’s youth such as mental health – anxiety, depression; bullying and social media.
• Gain a renewed sense of hope and increase in understanding.
• Improve communication between parent and child.
• Learn tips for youth to speak openly and create awareness on how to help youth set limits/balance. Identify strengths, assets & resiliency skills.

Una Wright, Founder of YouthSpeak offers caring adults the opportunity to hear her personal experience with challenges related to mental health within her family. Una shares well-researched coping tools which enable her to maintain a strong spirit, positive mental health and overall well-being.

This interactive workshop to engages participants and provide take-away tips and tools that are easy to integrate into a busy life. Participants will learn:

• Tools for keeping balance and coping with everyday stress
• Tips to increase personal well-being
• Fast-track to mental clarity and inner peace during difficult life circumstances
• Improve overall well-being through practical tools that help reduce stress related to negative thinking, anxiety and feeling overwhelmed.

We provide presentations for school councils, conferences, AGM’s. The YouthSpeak team’s engaging style adds impact and generates meaningful conversation to the successful outcome of events. Youth Speakers share their personal stories to increase understanding of issues relevant in the teen years such as mental health, bullying, substance misuse, online/social media, as well as tips on how to create a safe space. A youth voice brought to these difficult issues provides caring adults with a fresh perspective to bring to their relationships with their youth. Learn tips on how to build positive relationships with their youth, identify strengths, assets and resiliency skills.