YouthNet / RéseauAdo (YNRA) is a bilingual, for youth by youth, mental-health program at CHEO. YNRA offers alternative support services for youth aged 13 to 20. We work at reducing the stigma surrounding mental health and illness through prevention and intervention programs, education, research and advocacy.
All our programs are led by our trained youth facilitators. Our facilitators are all aged 20 to 30 and are supported by a clinical social worker.
Mental health literacy
Presentations for schools and youth community centres:
- Wellness 101 - Learn all about the basics of mental wellness, mental illness, stigma, self-care and more!
- StressLESS - Learn where stress comes from and how you an ride the waves!
- How to Help a Friend - Learn how to be an effective peer supporter and take care of yourself in the process
- Growing Together - Learn how neurodiversity relates to mental health and how you can make a difference
Youth programs
- Pens and Paint: Art based program that focuses on coping with stress through visual arts and creative writing.
- Winter Wellness: Activity based program that runs in the winter. Youth learn how physical activity can help them cope with stress through snowboarding, skating, snowshoeing among other winter-based activities.
- Rooted: Activity based program that runs in the summer. It focuses on outdoor physical activity such as hiking, canoeing and touring farms. As youth explore nature, they learn about mental health and coping strategies.
- Mindfulness: This program encourages youth to discover oneself. It allows them to recharge through mindfulness, yoga, creative projects and discussion with peers. Most of all, it teaches youth self-care. This program is for youth 15 and older.
- Self-Care Program: In this program you will learn many different forms of self-care (personal, social, technological, practical, etc.) and why self care matters. As a group, you will take time to discover self-care activities such as music, yoga, reflection, journaling and more! By taking the time to get to know yourself a little more and understanding how self-care maintains well-being and, you will discover the things you enjoy or that make you feel better.
Register for programs waitlist
Advocacy work and youth engagement
- Youth Advisory Committee (YAC): a youth advocacy group that works towards promoting mental health and destigmatizing mental illness. The members meet on a weekly basis and work on a wide variety of community or YNRA projects.
If you are between 13 and 20 years old and want to join one of our programs or drop in on a YAC session, please contact us at 613-697-7985 or email ynra@cheo.on.ca.
Get in touch
Visit YouthNet on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram or check out YouthNet's official website for more information.