Creating safe spaces for intergenerational dialogue about mental health.

Richmond – 2020

Twelve youth from Richmond BC collaborated on a weekly basis between October 2020 to May 2021 and together identified a need for safe spaces that encourage mental health awareness. They determined this could be accomplished in part by incorporating mental health promotion in schools and community spaces, strengthening opportunities for intergenerational conversations on the topic of mental health, and ensuring youth representation in policy and decision-making.

To address these aims, youth strategized to host a dialogue session bringing together community stakeholders and allies from the mental health and education sectors. In preparation for this event, they attended three workshops hosted by Simon Fraser University’s ‘Morris J. Wosk Centre for Dialogue’ to enhance their dialogue facilitation skills. With the help of the Centre for Dialogue, they co-designed a dialogue guide focused on creating actionable ideas that would promote more intergenerational dialogue and literacy on youth mental health. They also developed two short skits depicting first-hand experiences and demonstrating parental approaches that contributes to stress versus ones that supports their child’s mental health and wellbeing, The dialogue session was hosted online on National Child and Youth Mental Health Day and included 10 youth and 10 adult speakers. It was viewed by 93 individuals.