The Grande Prairie Resource Centre for Suicide Prevention is trying to break the stigma surrounding youth mental health, asking local teens to consider signing up for one of their dozens of workshops as low attendance continues to challenge the organization.
According to RCSP Youth Mental Health Coordinator Stacey Nex, mental health is a critical issue for “all youth,” not just teens, and the workshops serve to open up what might otherwise be an uncomfortable conversation.
“Mental health is a critical issue for all youth, youth need to know when they’re having these tough feelings… they’re not alone, we want to break the stigma,” she says. “All feelings are feelings, it doesn’t mean they’re bad, they’re just feelings, they’re just emotions, but knowing how to react to them and manage them, those are key life skills.”
The Resource Centre for Suicide Prevention offers numerous programs for kids of all ages; however, Nex says the teen program consistently sees lower attendance compared to others.
“I think a big part of that is the stigma, I think having those uncomfortable conversations, even to get started, making that the norm, making it more comfortable, it’s good to talk about it, it’s positive,” she says.
The teen program is available for youth in Grades Seven to Twelve and offers mental health workshops, support and friendship nights, and a youth drop-in group.
Nex says the teen program is not only beneficial for its mental health resources either, she says the connection aspect of the program is critical in establishing a community of youth who can support one another and even those around them.
“We’re connecting kids that go to different schools, maybe they run in different social circles, so it really brings people together.”
All youth programs are free to attend, and interested young people can sign up online on the RCSP’s website.
