Empowering Parents and Caregivers: Ongoing Impact of the Mental Health Resource Guide!
For some young people, a combination of mental health concerns, lack of protective factors, and the absence of family-based resiliency can lead to higher rates of delinquency, violence, and crime-related activities.
We are breaking this cycle by providing authentic, resiliency-focused interventions in schools and community groups for youth and parents, specifically designed to develop their mental health awareness, literacy, and supportive skills.
CMHA Calgary has expanded the YouthSMART programming (Youth Supporting Mental Health and Resiliency Together) to better serve the needs of at-risk children and youth ages 8 – 24, as well as their parents, guardians, and caregivers.
Since the launch of the Mental Health Resource Guide for Parents and Caregivers in February, we have received tremendous feedback from the community. Parents, guardians, and caregivers have expressed their appreciation for the practical advice and comprehensive information provided in the guide.
Through four workshops and one parent resource guide, the youth and family offerings of YouthSMART are being delivered to young people, as well as parents (guardians/caregivers/allies) connected to school and community groups. The program emphasizes the key factors of Mental Health Awareness, Stress Management, and Healthy Coping, while also providing information on supportive relationships, self-efficacy, perceived control, adaptive skills, self-regulatory capacities, mobilizing sources of hope, connection, and positive community links.
The expanded youth services ensure even more young people have access to the YouthSMART program within their natural hubs (schools, community groups, faith centres, recreational clubs, and sports teams). The family offerings empower parents with the mental health knowledge and skills necessary to understand how they can support their own mental health while supporting the wellness of the youth in their care.
The Mental Health Resource Guide for Parents and Caregivers is designed to build mental health literacy for supportive adults and empowers those who care for youth to develop their own mental health and the mental health of their children. While this guide uses the term “parents” throughout, the information is appropriate for anyone who supports or cares for young people in any way.
Check Out Mental Health Resource Guide
The development of this extended programming is made possible thanks to the generous support of the Government of Canada – Public Safety and the City of Calgary.