For youth by youth: innovative mental health promotion at Youth Net/Réseau Ado

Abstract

Youth today are experiencing significant rates of mental illness and are generally reluctant or unable to seek out traditional mental health services. Youth Net/Réseau Ado (YN/RA) is a bilingual mental health promotion organization run by youth for youth that provides innovative, youth-friendly programming in an effort to address the distress experienced by youth. This article provides a description of the YN/RA organization which offers unique, community-based programming that includes mental health focus groups, youth initiatives (snowboarding, art and hiking programmes), and support groups for youth in need.