COVID-19 Update – Here4Peers
With the advent of COVID-19 and students not having access to classrooms, teachers expressed a need to transition Here4Peers from an in-class program to an on line, virtual workshop. Thanks to the Canucks for Kids Fund, an animated video entitled Let’s Talk Mental Health for Kids and Teens has been created, in consultation with our Youth Advisory Committee.
In-class program activities will resume when it’s safe to return to the classroom.
Here4Peers is a peer-based mental health literacy program delivered by high school students to grades 6 and 7. The program aims to reduce the stigma of mental illness, increase mental health literacy and create a supportive environment for youth to access help for mental health concerns. It is offered to high school students, to train them as facilitators so that they can present to younger students. The program provides them with respectful language to be able to talk about mental health issues as well as provide effective tools and healthy coping strategies for dealing with stress, anxiety and depression. The program also provides students with current information on accessing help for themselves, their peers and their loved ones.
Based on research dating back to 1994 and current findings, we understand that youth are far more likely to discuss their mental health concerns with their peers. Youth to youth delivery models are effective in breaking down the barriers for youth to be open, be comfortable and confident in speaking up about their concerns.
A partnership with the Vancouver School district has been instrumental in having Here4Peers delivered in the Vancouver School Board since 2017.
Additional resources for mental health workshops in schools can be found HERE.
If you are interested in receiving the workshops in your school, please contact judy.gray@cmha.bc.ca.
We acknowledge the financial assistance of the Province of British Columbia.
