Charlottetown symposium to examine youth mental health

When we think of babies being born, Patsy Beattie-Huggan says, we don't expect them to be on apath "laden with difficulty."

But it happens, she said, and that's why symposiums like the one being held this week in Charlottetown are so important.

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Experts from across the country, and young people themselves, will look at everything from how to promote healthy relationships and positive mental health among adolescents, to social and emotional learning in schools.

We could make a big difference if we can promote mental health, not just treating the problem after it occurs.- Patsy Beattie-Huggan

"How can we help them to have the skills they need to navigate life in our complex society?"

Beattie-Huggan, the coordinator of the Atlantic Summer Institute on Healthy and Safe Communities and a grandmother of five said she's looking forward to hearing what youth have to say.

'A lot of anxiety'

"We know that kids are experiencing a lot of anxiety, we hear from teachers a lot of behaviours but we also know if we have the right programs, and we know there's evidence now to support them, that our kids and our parents can have greater skills in helping kids to have protective factors, to self-regulate their emotions," she said.

The Atlantic Summer Institute was involved in another symposium with two other organizations, the SEAK Project and Access Mental Health, last summer at Holland College.

'Focus for next three years'

"There was a lot of good energy and a lot of good commitment and resonance that said we need to do this and focus on child and youth mental health for more than just a one-off," she said. "We need to have a focus for the next three years if we're going to have momentum.

"We could make a big difference if we can promote mental health not just treating the problem after it occurs."

The symposium is being held at Holland College. Registration, including Tuesday night's keynote address at the Florence Simmons Performance Hall, is open to the public.

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