(Submitted photo/Laura Lawrence, Youth Matter)

By Ben Tompkins

Mental Health

Youth Matter hosting symposium and benefit concert

Oct 13, 2022 | 10:50 AM

Youth Matter is hosting a free symposium, immersed in creative exploration with a unique and talented group of artists, creatives, and mental health advocates.

The symposium began Thursday morning at 9:00 a.m. and will go on until 3:00 p.m. in the afternoon, at the Kerry Vickar Centre (KVC).

Later this evening, at 7:00 p.m., JJ Voss and Darlene Tuleta will put on a benefit concert for the organization, which costs $40 per ticket and will also take place at the KVC.

All proceeds raised from the concert will go towards their mental wellness initiatives and programming for youth and families.

Youth Matter founder and director Laura Lawrence told northeastNOW they’re hearing that youth are struggling post-pandemic and they are here to fix it.

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“We want to address that youth and families are able to reach out, speak up and support mental health, and also give kids access to healthy tools, healthy strategies, and ideas of how to support their wellness and their overall mental health in healthy ways.”

Hundreds of students from across the province are attending the symposium from 12 different communities.

Northeast, Horizon, and Sask River School Division have joined, as well as youth from Muskoday First Nation, and Pelican Narrows.

Another handful of artists, authors, speakers, and performers are in attendance to show a variety of ways towards mental wellness.

(Submitted photo/Laura Lawrence, Youth Matter)

Lawrence added they’re grateful for all who are giving their time towards benefitting youth mental health.

“We have them coming in and actually performing their acts and music, which has incorporated into supporting their own mental health. We thought it would be a great idea to invite them to stay for the evening and connect and interact with the community. They are very enthusiastic and passionate about supporting a cause for mental health for youth.”

According to their website, our creative minds have the power to help support our mental and emotional wellness – from listening to music, dancing, drawing, painting, writing, and creative expression of all kinds, these right-brain activities help to support a calmer, more regulated state for our nervous systems.

It also said they value creating a safe, inclusive environment and inspiring positive action and meaningful change for youth through open discussion, learning new strategies and methods for managing stress, anxiety, and emotions, and maintaining healthy life-long mental wellness.

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Ben.Tompkins@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter @BenTompkins_8