https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lvknTTAV6Kk

WE’RE HEADSTRONG

An evidence-based anti-stigma initiative created by the Mental Health Commission of Canada (MHCC).

We inspire youth ages 12-18 to Be Brave, Reach Out and Speak Up about mental health. Launched across Canada, HEADSTRONG is teaching students how to recognize and reduce stigma associated with mental illness, and become leaders in their schools.

JOIN OUR CHANGE LEADERS NETWORK

Start a HEADSTRONG club and join the change leaders network Apply for a Youth Leadership Initiative Grant

Provincial Youth Mental Health Summit

Check back soon for future summit dates.

About

HEADSTRONG teaches students how to reduce stigma and become mental health champions in their schools.

How it works: A two-part model for positive change

SUMMITS

The Summit – A HEADSTRONG summit brings together small groups of students from various schools for an exciting day of learning. They will:

hear stories of hope and recovery from speakers with lived experience of mental illness
participate in stigma-busting activities
design action plans to use when they return to school

A Summit Team supports the event, striving to ensure summit participants have a great experience and the goals of the summit are reached.

CLUBS

Student summit attendees start an in-school HEADSTRONG club with other interested students and the support of a staff member. Students use their own creativity and use our toolkits to hold awareness and education activities for the whole school.

These activities usually take place once or twice a month and can be simple as simple as a poster display, or more involved like a resource fair or student assembly.

GET INVOLVED

If you attended one of our summits, get involved by joining a network of young people dedicated to making change.

Start a HEADSTRONG club and join the change leaders network

STIGMA FACTS

Only 17% of children diagnosed with a mental health problem or illness will get treatment.

7000000

Seven million Canadians will experience a mental health problem or illness this year. 70% say first symptoms occurred as teenagers.

40% of parents would not tell anyone, including their doctor, if their child had a mental health problem or illness.

Stigma is keeping many people from seeking the help they need when they need it most.

By empowering youth leaders to challenge stigma, we can help break this cycle.

“Many say that living with stigma is more difficult than the illness itself.”

“Young people feel the impacts of stigma more than any other group in Canada.”

“The stigma surrounding mental health problems and illnesses keeps people from seeking help when they need it most.”

Toolkits

MHCC HEADSTRONG School-Based Activities.

Create and sustain school-based HEADSTRONG committees after a regional summit.

Download

Planning a Youth Anti-Stigma Summit.

Design, coordinate and implement a regional summit.

Download

Training your Speakers.

Well trained speakers are central to all successful headstrong events.

Download

Sharing Your Personal Story.

This toolkit will help equip you with the skills and knowledge to share your personal story of hope and recovery from mental illness.

Download

Headstrong Speakers.

Webinar.

View Webinar

Apply for a grant

HEADSTRONG YOUTH LEADERSHIP INITIATIVE GRANT

Each school who has attended a HEADSTRONG summit and has a student group working on anti-stigma and mental health awareness through the school year can apply for a $250.00 grant to support their activities and events.

APPLY