Ophea’s Monthly Recognition Spotlight aims to illuminate the bright spots within the education sector through recognizing the critical work being done by community members and value-aligned organizations, and its impact on student and staff well-being. This initiative also aims to strengthen connections between the Ontario education sector with individuals and organizations serving equity-deserving groups through raising awareness of the resources and services available to Ontario educators. Read on to learn about this month’s featured Spotlight, YouthSpeak, a charity that provides youth-led, interactive presentations for grades 2-12, post-secondary, parents and other caring adults on youth mental health and other related topics throughout Ontario. All of their programs are developed and delivered by a team of trained Youth Facilitators, who are provided extensive training and coaching, to ensure content is engaging and relatable.
Tell us about your organization.
YouthSpeak is a registered charity that hires and trains youth who have lived experience with mental health-related issues to become Youth Facilitators. They are trained to develop and deliver youth-led interactive presentations that include their personal stories and interactivity to enhance key learnings, with the goal of creating safe spaces for meaningful conversation and encourage help-seeking behaviour for youth in schools and youth-serving organizations. Our program goals include the increase of self-worth, help-seeking behaviours, resilience, and empathy and prosocial behaviours.
What are some guiding principles that are important to your organization?
Five core values guide our work as an organisation:
Collaboration – We work with our community partners to build upon resources, experience and expertise to provide evidence-based programs that are empowering and meaningful to youth.
Diversity and Inclusivity – We acknowledge the unique aspects of all people and promote greater self-acceptance.
Youth Engagement - We offer a continuum of high-quality programs that embrace accessibility, inclusivity, and diversity as a catalyst that provides meaning to the lived experience of youth.
Respect – We value youth as an integral part of a healthy society, where their potential is nurtured and supported and their voice is heard; when youth speak, youth listen.
Resiliency – We embrace opportunities that encourage and strengthen the resilience and self-worth of youth.
What is a recent initiative that you are proud of?
We are very proud of our School Clubs. These public speaking clubs are designed to provide a safe and inviting space for grades 5-8 students that encourages well-being, empowerment, and a sense of belonging. The clubs are supported by our Youth Facilitators, with certain elements of the program self-directed by student leaders, along with support from an in-school educator. The clubs focus on teaching public speaking skills, through movement-based improvisation activities, storytelling, and wellness messaging. We also provide an accompanying manual to support the implementation of the program. This project was funded by an Ontario Trillium Foundation S.E.E.D. grant.
What is one thing you wish people knew about your organization?
The breadth of programs we offer! We offer a multitude of programs for youth and caring adults on a range of topics on youth mental health; bullying prevention; online overdrive; anti-racism; substance use and other related topics.
To learn more, visit the YouthSpeak website. To read or listen to conversations about mental health in aims to empower youth, discover YouthSpeak’s SpeakReal Podcast and Real People. Real Talk. blog.
Interested in booking a youth-led assembly or workshop for your school? Get in touch with YouthSpeak today at [email protected]!
