Book a Workshop
Hello Schools, Community Youth Groups, and Sport Leagues!
As we all continue to support youth wellness, Canadian Mental Health Association of New Brunswick recognizes that school and community-based mental health education is more important than ever. As such, we are excited to invite your school or community group to schedule YouthSMART Workshops for your students and youth participants.
What is YouthSMART?
CMHA of NB’s YouthSMART Initiative (Youth Supporting Mental Health and Resiliency Together) integrates mental health learning opportunities in local junior and senior high schools, as well as youth community groups. YouthSMART NB is a pilot project in consultation with CMHA Calgary’s YouthSMART that has been operating for over a decade, and has reached close to 25,000 young people each year. YouthSMART provides mental health education, proven to generate an awareness of mental health topics, combat stigma, and encourage appropriate help seeking behaviours amongst youth.
What are the YouthSMART Workshops?
YouthSMART offers a menu of mental health workshops and engagement opportunities for New Brunswick schools, youth groups, and sport leagues serving youth aged 12 – 24. All sessions are age-appropriate, interactive, and flexible between virtual delivery and in-person facilitation.
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Understanding stress is foundational in maintaining personal health and wellness. This interactive learning session provides an overview of what the stress response is, and how it affects the body and mind. Students will develop an awareness of their own particular stressors, and how to cope with stress in healthy ways.
45 – 90 minute workshop, offered to individual classes or groups.
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This learning session breaks down common misconceptions surrounding mental health and mental illnesses while promoting a proactive and preventative approach to wellness. Students gain a comprehensive introduction to stigma, the common warning signs for mental health concerns, and the resources available for help.
45 – 90 minute workshop, delivered to individual classes or groups.
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There is no perfect formula for helping someone, but you can strengthen your supportive skills. This learning session outlines how students might recognize if someone is in distress, while improving their listening, communication, and helping abilities.
45 – 90 minute workshop, offered to individual classes or groups.
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This learning session provides a compassionate and informative discussion around preventing suicide, as it seeks to dispel myths, outline warning signs, and connect youth to professional resources.
45 – 90 minute workshop, delivered to individual classes or groups.
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Through this training, youth are able to help build mental health equity in their school or community by understanding common mental health language, identifying levels of concern, connecting to resources, gaining experience implementing an easy-to-follow process for helping others, strengthening and practicing their helping skills, expanding their helping skills toolbox, and utilizing appropriate self-care techniques.
Typically 8 – 14 hours of training, delivered to individual classes or nominated students.
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A small group of identified youth mental health ambassadors or “SMART Leaders” work together, with your assistance, to plan awareness activities or campaigns unique to their own school or community. SMART Leaders are provided with toolkits, as well as personalized support from qualified CMHA staff to help them create fun, engaging campaigns to bring the mental health and anti-stigma message to their peers.
Ongoing, participating groups work at their own pace.
How can I schedule YouthSMART Workshops for my youth?
YouthSMART workshops are available, free of cost, to all local schools and youth groups serving young people aged 12 – 24. Groups may book multiple sessions, however capacity is limited, and bookings are confirmed on a first come, first served basis.