Forums Address Youth Issues

By Corey Fischer

Jan 15, 2019 | 4:00 PM

The local branch of the Canadian Mental Health Association is hosting a series of community forums to address issues faced by young people.

Executive director Julia Payson says forums in Vernon, Armstrong and Lumby will focus on substance use, mental health promotion and suicide prevention.

“The goal of this intervention is to change the way individuals and service providers respond to community education, public policy advocacy and stigma as a barrier to services.”

Statistics show that addictions are one of the most dangerous and destructive issues facing youth today, with reports stating that 85% of Canadian teenagers have consumed alcohol and 50% have consumed illegal drugs. The most at-risk to develop addictions are youth under the age of 25.

The first forum will be Jan. 23rd at the Marie Fleming Theatre in the Vernon & District Performing Arts Centre. The Armstrong forum will be held at the Centennial Hall on February 12, and the Lumby forum will take place at the Whitevalley Community Centre on March 12. Each forum will run from 5:30 pm – 8:00 pm, and include a resource fair, panel discussion, group participant discussions, refreshments and free naloxone training provided by Interior Health.

Water Shut Off Response

Fruit Growers Association call for plan to support farmers amid water shortage

10h ago

42-Unit Project

Fees waived for new supportive housing project in Vernon

10h ago

Investigation underway

One person deceased after fire at North Okanagan farm

14h ago

“Each panel will include parents, community leaders and relevant stakeholders, with forums open to the entire community.”

According to the Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse Urban and Rural Student Substance Use Report, results from several Canadian surveys suggest that students who attend schools in rural areas, when compared to their urban peers are more likely to drink alcohol, have five or more drinks on a single occasion (binge drink), drive after drinking alcohol, and drive after using cannabis.

“Through early intervention and prevention, we can empower our youth with knowledge, resilience and the support and resources needed to make healthy life choices and be a positive influence on their peers,” says Payson.

CMHA Vernon partnered with more than ten local groups to establish the forums in these three communities.

Speakers at the three forums include adult and adolescent psychiatrist Dr. David Smith, Michelle Thiessen, Doctoral student in Clinical Psychology at UBCO and Dobra Vistica, Clinician at Interior Health. The Armstrong forum will include Public Health Nurse Wendy Morgan.

Panel guests will include medical practitioners, youth care providers, community leaders and individuals with lived experience.

To register or for additional information, contact Naaz Grewal at 250.542.3114 ext 226 or email naaz.grewal@cmha.bc.ca.

by Corey Fischer