Community Education

Youth Speak in the Classroom

Youth Speak is an interactive presentation on mental health and illness aimed at students in high school. Its power lies in being designed, written and presented by young people who are themselves living with a mental illness. This allows the presenters to engage students in the classroom in a dialogue about a range of mental health concerns, to share their personal stories and their journey to wellness, and to provide hope to those students who themselves may be struggling with significant mental health issues. It gives the presenters an opportunity to debunk stigma, particularly around mental illness and violence, and to show themselves as individuals who are learning to live well with challenging life circumstances – to put a face on mental illness.

Students have written …

“ I like that you guys are young and can relate to us.”

“I was very glad that nothing was sugar-coated.”

“This was helpful info on stuff that affects almost everyone somehow.”

“I liked the best how you guys were able to let us know how to cope with things.”

“I give you so much respect for getting up and being able to talk about your illness!”


For more information on these presentations, contact us! Call (902) 473-7709, or email pduke@lainghouse.org.


Presentations and Conferences

Speaking out in community and formal settings builds the potential for youth to inform others about mental illness and to communicate lived experience. Youth have been involved in presentations ranging from national conferences such as the Canadian Psychiatric Association annual conference and the Reaching Out symposium, to regional and local events related to homelessness, consumer initiatives, or professional training.