speak up speak out

In 2012, the Youth Action Committee (YAC) identified mental health in the education system as a major issue facing children and youth in Ontario. They created the Speak Up, Speak Out Project to identify how schools could better support youth struggling with mental health and addiction challenges. Through surveys, focus groups, a video contest, and individual submissions, over 300 youth, aged 11 to 25, took part in this project. Through information gathered provincially, the YAC created Children’s Mental Health Ontario’s first youth-led policy paper, Building a Better School Environment for Youth with Mental Health and Addiction Issues. YAC members presented the paper at several conferences and workshops, including all the mental health leads in schools in Ontario. They created a video outlining how to implement recommendations 3.2 how to provide a safe space in schools (see below). Recommendations from this report were implemented into schools in Ontario.  

The YAC presented the video below at Children’s Mental Health Ontario’s 2012 Annual Conference. The video presents the initial vision for the Speak Up Speak Out Project.

The YAC presented the video below at Children’s Mental Health Ontario’s 2013 Annual Conference. The video outlines the issues and recommendations outlined in their policy paper.

The video below showcases how to implement recommendations 3.2 – Provide a Mental Health Designated Space in Schools.

In November 2013, YAC Co-Chair’s Caitlin Robb and Mary-Anne Leahy presented the policy paper at Queens Park.

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