WESTLOCK – Empowering youth by building resiliency and providing tools to stay well, was part of the messaging shared during the inaugural Westlock and District Family and Community Support Services (FCSS) Youth Wellness Conference.
Twenty-two teens attended the one-day event held at the Teen Time Ranch near Dapp Nov. 10 — the event featured several keynote speakers, plus activities, breakout sessions, games, and a campfire.
“This is the first time we’re really doing something for all youth,” said FCSS community youth coordinator Emma Langevin, noting a recent FCSS survey circulated to R.F. Staples School and St. Mary School.
“We asked youth what their major concerns were, what did they feel like they needed the most help with and what kind of programs did they feel would be most useful,” said Langevin. “Mental health came up as a major concern for a lot of youth. It was one of their Top 3 that came out in the survey.”
Since then, FCSS has done its best to centre programming around the feedback they received. Langevin said the concept behind the conference was “showing youth different contributing factors to mental wellness and adding tools to their tool kits to promote their own mental health.”
“It’s giving them the power back in terms of giving them the tools, showing them what can help them feel better, what can help them to feel in control of their mind and their body and just finding what works for them,” explained Langevin.
“The main thing is trying to show them different ways to stay well and showing them that they have options,” she added, noting the message of the seniors’ conference last month was they value of seniors to the community. “And we also want to communicate that message to youth as well that we value them, we want them to do well, and we want to support them in doing well.”
Throughout the day, keynote speakers from the Westlock Alliance Church, Addictions and Mental Health and other guests from Alberta Health Services, presented a variety of topics and with sessions geared towards mental health and wellness, substance use and resiliency.
The day also featured an art therapy session and horseback riding while attendees also had an opportunity to build their own self-care kits.
“We provided a lot of different items that we hope will promote their wellness. They get to build the wellness bag and pick what works for them.”
