Peer Support: Just Be You

Helping Youth Since 2014

Working in conjunction with a steering committee made up of CMHA-Halton, ROCK, Support House, ADAPT, Oak Park Neighbourhood Centre, and the United Way, the Just Be You program was launched in 2014. The Halton Hills/Acton Just Be You was launched in February 2020.

Watch for new locations coming as we grow the Just Be You program. 

 

How Just Be You Works

Youth-led and youth-focused, Just Be You provides youth living with mental health issues a place to go, hang out, and have fun—without judgment, without stigma—on their terms. It allows them to just be youth. While doing that they also learn coping and resiliency skills, make social connections, and learn about resources.

Each session is led by a youth facilitator and youth coordinator, and participants decide how they would like to spend their time together. Whether it’s movie nights, art, games, writing, get-togethers in the community, or something else, it will help them to feel connected, safe, and just be youth.

“You are saving lives.”

Just Be You Participant

Just Be You Helps Youth Build:

 

  • Resiliency
  • Self-confidence and self-esteem
  • Positive social connections
  • Coping strategies
  • Connections to services, resources, and tools
Two male youth sitting on chairs in bowling alley and holding green and yellow bowling balls.
Positive female teen sitting on floor, writing in journal and listening music in headphones
Two youth laying upside down on coach with heads to the ground, having fun and singing together.
Female youth in orange shirt joining Just Be You group virtually from room at home. Light from desk lamp shining on youth and her papers on her desk,
Two male youth sitting on chairs in bowling alley and holding green and yellow bowling balls.
Positive female teen sitting on floor, writing in journal and listening music in headphones
Two youth laying upside down on coach with heads to the ground, having fun and singing together.
Two male youth sitting on chairs in bowling alley and holding green and yellow bowling balls.
Positive female teen sitting on floor, writing in journal and listening music in headphones

[ why participate ]

Just Be You increases overall mental wellness in youth through a combination of peer support and social recreation that encourages young people to explore their strengths and learn wellness strategies.

Want to participate?

who

Youth ages 15 to 25

when/where –

NOTE: Programs are currently being run virtually

Thursdays from 7:00pm-9:00 pm

how

Click REGISTER to access link 

or call 1-833-845-WELL (9355) x 390

 

 

The Impact Seen from Peer Support

Peer support is associated with: reductions in hospitalizations for mental health problems, reductions in ‘symptom’ distress, improvements in social support and in quality of life, and increased attendance at school.

The success of the program for youth has been recognized by the youth who participate as well as the mental health and health organizations in our community.

In speaking with the youth who attend Just Be You, the program is making a difference in their lives. They are feeling more positive, are doing better in school, are learning things about themselves, see the program as a motivator to get out of the house even when it has been a bad week, and are feeling less at risk.

“JBY has impacted my life positively as I have learned to cope with stress and anxiety. It has helped me make friends and better support others it has also helped me be more social.”

 

“JBY has helped me discover more potential in myself. I was also thankful for JBY as something to look forward to.”

JBY Participants

Donate to Support our Youth
Four youth having fun playing karaoke. The 2 female youth are singing into microphones.
Male youth singing song playing acoustic guitar reading text on smartphone application screen.
Three youth standing together outside, smiling and making funny faces and two are using strands of friend's hair as moustaches.
Small group of youth snuggling together on the couch during Just Be You.
Four youth having fun playing karaoke. The 2 female youth are singing into microphones.
Male youth singing song playing acoustic guitar reading text on smartphone application screen.
Three youth standing together outside, smiling and making funny faces and two are using strands of friend's hair as moustaches.
Four youth having fun playing karaoke. The 2 female youth are singing into microphones.
Male youth singing song playing acoustic guitar reading text on smartphone application screen.

Interested in Starting a Just Be You Program in Your Community?

If your community or organization is interested in starting a JBY peer support program, we’d love for you to contact us about how to bring this into fruition. Call 1-800-637-1108 or use the link below.

I'd Like to Learn More