Youth Net Halton

Youth Net Halton is a mental health promotion program run by older youth aged 18-30. This program is fully funded by the Region of Halton and is supported by many community partners. Youth Net has been operating in Halton since 1999 and has served over 5000 youth. Youth Net offers the community a number of youth targeted mental health promotion services.


What is Youth Net?

  • Youth Net Halton is a mental health promotion program run by older youth aged 18-30. This program is fully funded by the Region of Halton and continues to works collaboratively with several community partners.
  • The Youth Net program supports the grade 11 health curriculum, but is available from grade 9-12.
  • Youth Net Objectives
    • Increase awareness and communication about mental health/illness issues
    • Discuss issues that affect youth, and identify healthy coping strategies
    • Identify youth at risk and connect them with a safety net of professionals in the community
    • Help youth develop supportive peer connections

top of pageYouth Net Halton logo

What programs and services does Youth Net offer?

Youth Net Halton offers a number of programs to youth and local community service providers. All programs offered by Youth Net Halton are designed to correspond with regularly scheduled class times. Please allow a minimum of 3 weeks notice when booking groups.

  • Discussion Groups
    Youth Net Discussion Groups provide:
    • A one-time discussion group where youth have an opportunity to express, explore and discuss their concerns about mental health.
    • Discussion-generating topics for youth, including thoughts on mental health/mental illness, what is stressful in their lives, healthy and unhealthy coping strategies, and the importance of developing peer connections.
    • Discussion groups are 70 - 90 minutes in length - offered at high schools and other settings in the community where youth gather.
    • Youth Net Facilitators who are trained to assess and identify youth who may be at risk of suicide ideation or behaviour – these facilitators can then link these youth with appropriate supports in the school (Mental Health Liaison Nurse) and/or in the community.
    • A network of trained mental health professionals who support Youth Net discussion groups.
  • Talking About Mental Illness (TAMI) Program
    • Upcoming TAMI events:
      • Halton Region TAMI Program invited you to learn about mental health and mental illness during Mental health Awareness Week (May 7 - 13, 2012)
      • Free admission
    • TAMI is provided in partnership with:
      • The Canadian Mental Health Association External Link
      • Region of Halton
      • Centre for Addiction and Mental Health
      • Schizophrenia Society Ontario
      • Phoenix Program
      • Alcohol, Drug and Gambling Assessment Prevention and Treatment Program (ADAPT)
      • Georgetown Suicide Prevention Group (H.E.A.L)
    • TAMI aims to:
      • reduce stigma associated with mental illness
      • raise awareness about mental illness
      • empower individuals who live with a mental illness
      • provide information about local resources
    • A TAMI presentation includes the following:
      • A youth friendly educational presentation on one of the following topics: depression, schizophrenia, first episode psychosis, concurrent disorders, suicide, anxiety and eating disorders
      • A speaker who shares their personal experience related to the mental health issue covered in the educational presentation.
      • Youth Net and TAMI are more comprehensive when they are offered together, however they can be offered independently of each other.
      • To find out more about becoming a TAMI speaker, contact the Canadian Mental Health Association office of Halton External Link .
  • Pens and Paints Program
    • Pens and Paints is an 8-week program designed to meet the needs of youth who are marginalized and at greater risk of having mental health issues.
    • Each session corresponds with a regularly scheduled class period (approximately 75 minutes).
    • The program encourages youth to explore and discuss issues within the context of their own lives in a safe and supportive environment.
    • Through visual arts and creative writing, participants are able to give voice to their thoughts and emotions in a supportive environment and, in a constructive manner.
    • Example of session topics include, Positive Self Identity, Substance Abuse & Making Good Choices, Violence in the Media, and Accepting People’s Differences
    • The program provides clinical support for youth who may be at risk of suicide ideation or behaviour and connects them with a safety net of professionals in the community.
  • Girls Talk Program
    • Girls Talk is an 8-week depression prevention and awareness program geared towards mainstream girls aged 15-16.
    • Each session corresponds with a regularly scheduled class period (approximately 75 minutes).
    • The program helps to foster self-esteem and enhances connectedness between girls.
    • Each session consists of a discussion on a pre-determined topic and a physical or artistic activity related to the discussion.
    • Examples of session topics include, Stress, Relationships, Self-esteem , Media, and Body Image.
    • The program provides clinical support for girls who may be at risk of suicide ideation or behaviour and connects them with a safety net of professionals in the community.
  • Guys Talk Program
    • Guys talk is an 8 session activity-based mental health promotion program for young men aged 13 – 19.
    • It focuses on issues of importance to male youth, and specifically on the promotion of mentally healthy living and lifestyle choices
    • Examples of session topics include, coping strategies, self-esteem, positive and effective anger management skills, and relationships.

top of page

Who can access Youth Net programs?

  • Youth Net Halton can be booked through individual schools and community organizations throughout the year.

top of page

What resources does Youth Net offer?

top of page

Youth Net Community Partners

top of page

Youth Net History

  • Youth Net Halton was created as a result of the 1993 Canadian Youth Mental Health and Illness Survey conducted by Dr. Ian G. Manion, Director of Mental Health Research at the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario, and Dr. Simon Davidson, Chief of Psychiatry at CHEO.
  • The survey results indicated:
    • youth in Canada were at a high risk for mental health problems
    • youth were largely dissatisfied with the current mental health services available to them
    • youth prefer to talk to other youth rather than their parents or professionals
  • In 1994, the format for Youth Net Ottawa was developed through 20 pilot focus groups. By 2003, over 11,000 youth had participated in focus groups and had discussed the mental health issues they were facing, their views about the mental health system, and how the system could better meet their needs.
  • Due to the positive response to the Youth Net Ottawa program, money was received from Health Canada to develop satellite sites across the country. The following satellite sites are now running in: Halton, Peel, Hamilton, Yellowknife, Halifax, Charlottetown, Delta and Vancouver BC, Montreal, Monteregie and Montmagny QC, and New Castle, England.
  • The Youth Net Halton program has been in operation since 1999. Youth Net Halton has conducted groups with 11,960 youth from 2000 to 2007.

top of page

top of page

For problems or questions regarding this site, please email Halton Region or dial 311 or 905-825-6000

Toll free 1-866-4HALTON (1-866-442-5866) | TTY: 905-827-9833

Your Privacy and Our Website Terms of use

Halton Region is composed of the City of Burlington, the Town of Halton Hills, the Town of Milton, and the Town of Oakville .