The Strengthening Family and Youth Voices project was a province-wide project exploring the role of peer support in child and youth mental health. The goals of the project were to promote the participation of families and youth in mental health decision-making, as well as to increase peer support networks in 5 pilot sites across BC. The project, sponsored by CMHA BC and funded by the Public Health Agency of Canada, took place from February 2005 to March 2007.
Key Project Resources
- Newsletter Sept 05 - Project Update (235kb PDF)
- Newsletter Winter 05/06 - 2005 in Review(740kb PDF)
- Newsletter March 07 - Provincial Forum (1.27mb PDF)
- Project Evaluation Report (399Kb PDF)
The project final report presents a full description of activities, experiences and outcomes from the two-year project, both on the provincial level as well as from each of the five community project sites. - Peer Support Guide for Parents (642kb PDF)
The purpose of this guide is to provide a starting point for parents wishing to develop peer support for other parents of children or youth with mental health problems. Here you will find practical information and resources on the ways in which parents can learn from and support each other in a group setting, and how to organize and develop your own parent peer support group. - Youth Helping Youth (1.18mb PDF)
This youth peer support "how-to" guide comes from the experiences of peer support programs developed as part of the Strengthening Family and Youth Voices project. The guide describes what peer support is and how it is important, and offers step-by-step tips for starting and developing a youth peer support group in your community. - An Environmental Scan: Peer Support for Families and Youth (213kb PDF)
Over the past few years, considerable momentum has been gained regarding the development of peer support projects for youth with mental health problems and their families. This scan provides an overview of the current role of peer support in BC, as well as the challenges to and opportunities for further development in the current environment. - Strengthening Family and Youth Voices Forum Program (327kb PDF)
On February 9, 2007, the project wrapped up its second and final year with an innovative forum on peer support for young people and families facing mental health problems, featuring experiences from youth who participated in the project pilot sites.
History of the Project
This project had its roots in the Canadian Mental Health Association, BC Division's vision for children and youth who use mental health services and their families. CMHA recognizes that the initiation of the Child and Youth Mental Health Plan in BC opens up new opportunities to visit how youth and families relate to each other, their communities and the organizations who provide services to them.In 2000, CMHA BC Division conducted focus groups across the province with young people and their families about child and youth mental health services. Key areas identified for improvement included:
- communication and collaboration with parents/caregivers
- family and consumer consultation
- collaboration and support
The 5 Pilot Sites
Applications from potential pilots were received from all health regions resulting in the awarding of five contracts in April 2005. The pilot sites were chosen based on a number of factors including direct service to children and youth who use the mental health system.
| Pilot Sites and Host Agencies: | |
|---|---|
| Lower Mainland | Canadian Mental Health Association, North and West Vancouver (North Vancouver) |
| Northern BC | Kitimat Child Development Centre |
| Vancouver Island | Canadian Mental Health Association, Cowichan Valley branch (Duncan) |
| Fraser Valley | Maple Ridge/Pitt Meadows Community Services Society |
| Interior | Canadian Mental Health Association, Kootenays (Cranbrook) |
Provincial Steering Committee
The project had a strong steering committee who will assist in over seeing the project at a provincial level. The steering committee met in May 2005 to discuss their terms of reference and ways in which they could support the work of the local pilot sites. The members of the steering committee were:
- Chairperson, Jean Moore - CMHA BC Division board member
- Keli Anderson - FORCE Society for Kids' Mental Health Care
- Brian Copley on behalf of Jayne Barker - Ministry of Children and Family Development
- Kim Dixon - BC Schizophrenia Society
- Paul Pallan - Advocate
- Wayne Fullerton on behalf of Ann Marr - Ministry of Health
- Rob Lees - Supporting Families with Parental Mental Illness, Provincial Working group
- Vicki Rogers - Mood Disorders Association of BC
- Lynn Miller - Anxiety Disorders Association of BC
- Dulcie Fernandes - Child and Youth Officer for BC