Youth Speak Program Won National Eva’s Innovation Award

Laing House, a Halifax peer support organization for youth living with mental illness, was recognized nationally for its unique programming. A Laing House program, Youth Speak: Breaking Down Stigma One Classroom at a Time, received a 2009 Eva’s Innovation Award. This award, which included a prize of $5,000, was generously sponsored by CIBC. The program was chosen as one of three award winners out of 40 applications received from across Canada. 

The Eva’s Innovation Award was presented to the Youth Speak coordinator and members of the program at the Laing House Donor Appreciation Event on Wednesday, May 20, 2009. Representatives from Eva’s Initiatives of Toronto and CIBC were on hand for the presentation. Youth Speak is an educational initiative that targets junior high, high school, and university students. The model is peer-to-peer, interactive, multi-media workshops led by young mental health consumers who are successfully navigating life with a mental illness.

They model recovery and demonstrate hope. This approach aims to increase knowledge and understanding around mental illness, raise awareness of available resources and treatments, reduce stigma and isolation and encourage youth to seek help. Most importantly, this program encourages dialogue about youth mental health issues. It reaches out to a vulnerable, at-risk youth population. Workshop facilitators are able to quickly engage and connect with the students as they courageously share their personal stories. Compassion, understanding, and increased awareness are promoted through this project.