Summit On Youth Mental Health 2023

Two members of the Star of Life Project had the honour of participating in an event hosted by the United Way and Ottawa Public Health, which focused on Youth Mental Health, Addictions, and Substance Use Health. This event emerged from the collaborative efforts of Ottawa youth and adults from various youth-serving groups who recognized the need for open, collaborative, and solutions-focused conversations about youth mental health, addictions, and substance use health.

The planning group, consisting of both youth and adults, dedicated three months to co-design and co-host a three-hour evening event aimed at generating innovative ideas to enhance the mental health, addictions, and substance use health care system.

On September 29, 2023, a diverse group of 26 youth and adults convened to:

Hear Presentations: Engage with presentations from both youth and adults discussing the power of creativity, addressing misconceptions about youth mental health, and exploring models related to the continuum of mental health, substance use health, and the spectrum of substance use health.

Participate in Breakout Groups: Engage in meaningful conversations within breakout groups, covering topics such as common terms related to mental health, addictions, substance use health, gambling, and problematic technology use, understanding these concepts from a youth lived experience perspective. Additionally, discussions centered around envisioning what wellness might look like for youth, their families, and the community at large.

Explore Existing Resources: Explore existing types of help available and brainstorm additional tools and resources that could be created to support youth mental health, addictions, and substance use health.

Define Tangible Action Items: Collaboratively identify tangible action items to prioritize and start implementing immediately, with the aim of making a positive impact on youth mental health and well-being.

This event provided a crucial platform for fostering understanding, dialogue, and actionable steps to address the complex challenges surrounding youth mental health, addictions, and substance use health. The commitment to co-design and collaborate reflects a community-driven approach to create meaningful change in support of youth well-being.

“Good listeners are like a fireplace; they always shine light and provide warmth, regardless of whether you sit by them”

Mental health is a crucial aspect of overall well-being, and it is especially important for university students who face academic, personal, and social challenges. As students, we recognize the need for mental health support on campus and want to create an initiative that provides a safe and supportive space for students to share their thoughts and feelings. Given the growing need for mental health services and support on university campuses, especially after the Covid pandemic, we propose a student-run mental health project that aims to promote mental health and well-being among the student body. The project will provide opportunities for students to engage in activities and initiatives that will enhance their mental health and create a supportive community.

August, 10, 2023

It is with great pleasure to share the tremendous success of our recent dental hygiene project, made possible by your generous support. With your contribution, we were able to create over 1000 dental hygiene kits and host impactful educational sessions in schools across Ottawa, targeting students in grades 1 to 6. We are delighted to share that the project exceeded our expectations and significantly impacted the students and the community.

Community Impact:

Beyond the immediate impact on the students, this project has created a ripple effect in the community. By instilling knowledge and promoting healthy habits at an early age, we aim to prevent dental problems in the future and reduce the burden on the healthcare system. Moreover, the collaborative nature of this project, involving dental professionals, local clinics, and businesses, has strengthened community partnerships and fostered a shared commitment to improving oral health.

June, 12, 2023

Oral health is an essential component of overall well-being, yet it is often overlooked or undervalued, especially among children. Poor dental hygiene habits can lead to many problems, such as tooth decay, gum disease, and even systemic health issues like diabetes and heart disease. Despite this, many elementary school students are unaware of the importance of maintaining good oral hygiene practices, such as brushing their teeth twice daily.

As university students, we believe that we can make a positive impact on children's oral health by providing them with the knowledge and tools they need to take care of their teeth. Our proposed project aims to give presentations about the importance of dental hygiene and brushing your teeth to elementary school students, with the added benefit of providing them with toothbrushes and toothpaste to encourage healthy habits.