Targeted Prevention programming aims at engaging groups of children in youth in activities that address common difficulties. It is preventative and early intervention based programming funded by the Ministry of Health.
Flex Your Head (Mental Health)
Flex Your Head
Ages 12-17
Everyone has mental health. Just as we can all become physically ill, we can also become mentally ill. It is important to understand our own mental health from a young age so that we can each consider mental wellness to be a part of our overall healthcare routine. Flex Your Head is a universal mental health, education and awareness program created by BGC Canada. The purpose of the program is to help youth think about, talk about, and understand issues of mental health and wellness in a fun and engaging way. It is primarily an interactive, strength-based educational program that is not intended as therapy or counseling.
The goal is to strengthen a young person’s ability to cope with and recover from difficulty by:
• Creating awareness and enhancing understanding of mental health and mental illness.
• Helping youth develop strategies to cope with stress, promote healthy relationships and understand the relationship between thoughts, feelings and behaviours.
Topics include:
• What is mental health and how do we talk and think about it?
• Looking at where values come from
• Talking about emotions
• Introduction to mindfulness
• Looking at our brains and automatic thoughts
• The relationship between thoughts and emotions
• The importance of experiencing all emotions
• Self-care and having compassion for ourselves
• Healthy relationships
• Resolving conflict
• Talking about stigma – what it is and the affect that it can have.
Take it Easy (Self-Esteem)
Take it Easy
Take It EASY is a program that addresses the complex issues facing young people. This program is targeted at girls in grades 5-7. Take It EASY is a BGC National program. National programs assist to build the capacity for future success of children and youth by:
– tackling youth issues that are at the heart of every community;
– believing in the potential of Canadian children and youth;
– making our communities better places to live and grow up.
The objective of Take It Easy is to create strategies to help foster the self-esteem and confidence of preteen participants and enable them to make more informed decisions about the challenges they face in life.
Topics Include: Self-Esteem, Body Image, Gender Stereotypes, Healthy Relationships, Puberty, Bullying and Online Safety.
Ongoing skills and themes throughout the session are leadership, conflict resolution, problem-solving, respect and social skills. This program is set up in a group atmosphere. The content of this program is delivered through discussion and activities. Certain topic material may be sensitive to some participants. Age-appropriate information will be delivered to the program participants.
Who Is Eligible?
Children & youth in Kawartha Lakes between ages 7-18 are eligible for targeted prevention programming.
What is the Purpose of Targeted Prevention?
Targeted Prevention aims to provide children and youth with skills to address common issues as a preventative or early intervention support.
Referral & Process
Targeted Prevention programs are typically offered within the school settings or BGC after school programs.
Please speak to your child’s school if you are interested in having a targeted prevention program facilitated at their school. To inquire about after school targeted prevention programming, contact the Club.
Community Resources
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Supported by the
Government of Ontario
Ministry of Health