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To increase grades 6 to 12 youth’s awareness of community resources and support services. To enhance youth problem solving and coping capacities. To prevent escalation of issues or concerns. To contribute to the development of mental fitness and resilience in youth.
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To increase grades 6 to 12 youth’s awareness of community resources and support services. • To enhance youth problem solving and coping capacities. • To prevent escalation of issues or concerns. • To contribute to the development of mental fitness and resilience in youth. • To contribute to the development of a culture of wellness in schools. THE LINK OBJECTIVES
Created in Grand Falls region in 1999 following the suicide of three youths. • Implemented by mental health professionals, school and community reps, and the local Suicide Prevention Committee. • Province wide since 2006 • Provincial wellness strategy: Mental fitness and resilience HISTORY
Included in “Keeping Children and Youth Safe from Harm in New Brunswick”. • Included in the “Action plan for mental health in NB” STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS
Rounded shapes - collaboration and flexibility. • Grey - trust, green - hope, yellow - prevention , burgundy - caution. • Links symbolize the connection between members of the community. • Also represents the “Helping tree”. THE LINK SYMBOL
Helping Tree • Link Companions • Link Resource Card • Posters, Stickers and Banners Key elements
Physical, emotional or sexual abuse, negligence and/or family violence. • Bullying, relationship violence, harassment, threats. • Legal issues • Social isolation • Physical health & nutrition • Spirituality - religion • Grief HELPING TREE – LISTING OF POTENTIAL ISSUES
School-related issues (academic, motivation, socialisation). • Financial, housing , or employment issues • Addictions (drugs, alcohol, gambling, tobacco, etc…). • Support to teenage parents • Social rehabilitation HELPING TREE–LISTING OF POTENTIAL ISSUES(continued)
Suicidal thoughts, mental health issues • Anger management, assertiveness • Eating disorders • Relationships, heartbreak, peer pressure, sick parents or friends, parents separation or divorce. • Sexual health and pregnancy • Sexual orientation and gender identity HELPING TREE –LISTING OF POTENTIAL ISSUES (continued)
A non-specialist who provides assistance in the helping relationship. • Listens emphatically, uses basic active listening techniques. • Using the helping tree, provides support in clarifying issue and, if necessary, identifying support services. THE LINK COMPANION
COMPANION STICKERS • Stickers are used to identify the « LINK companions ». • Placed in strategic places sothatstudentscaneasily know where to findthem.
Each student is given a resource card and asked to sign it. • Can be used as a communication tool between the student and the “Link Companion”. • It means “ I need your assistance” • The cardalsoincludesnumbers for support services and emergencies. LINK RESOURCE CARD
LINK POSTERs and banners • In schoolswhere the program is active, a giant banner and posters are strategicallyplacedthroughout the school.
1 - Create a Regional Link Committee 2 - Adapt and print Link materials (resources cards & helping tree). 3 - Develop an implementation plan 4 - Developpartnershipswithschooladministrators 5 - Recruit school coordinators Implementation Steps
www.programmelemaillon.com • www.thelinkprogram.com * The HelpingTree (interactive version) isalso accessible on smart phones via a QR code. Web site