BENEFITS OF THE PROGRAM

Feedback from youth who have taken the program:

• Participants routinely comment on how learning about mental illness has helped allay their fears in that "somehow it didn't seem as bad".

• Learning how to deal with stigma and helping children resist messages of self blame and responsibility are other important topics.
  

• ​Facilitators are continually amazed at the level of sharing and the intensity of participation by the kids.
  

TEENS IN CONTROL

What is Teens in Control?

Teens in Control offers education and support to youth between the ages of 13 and 17 years who have a parent with a mental illness.  Once a week for eight consecutive weeks the kids meet for 1.5 hours.  During the sessions they are given information about mental illness as well as an opportunity to develop and practice healthy coping strategies for dealing with difficulties they may be facing.  Using crafts, games and interactive learning activities, members join together in developing healthy attitudes and coping skills.

OUTLINE OF THE PROGRAM

• Session 1: Introduction and group building
  

• Session 2: Group building and discussion of social and societal attitudes about mental illnesses
  

• Session 3: Learning how to identify feelings and defences
  

• Session 4: Mental illness facts plus the 3 C's
  

• Session 5: Coping and self care
  

• Session 6: Attitude and self esteem: negative self talk and the power of positive thinking
  

• Session 7: Communication skill development, boundary setting, and the meaning of words
  

• ​Session 8: Review, safety planning and visioning