RBC Youth Well-Being Navigation Grant
Feb. 17, 2023: We are thrilled to announce the Langley School District Foundation has received a $20,000 grant from RBC Foundation. The funded project is a community collaboration led by community service providers through the Child and Youth Mental Health Substance Use Local Action Table.
The aim is to:
🍎 provide school-based spaces where youth can develop relationships with safe and caring adults in a familiar environment before transitioning to community-based programs and services
🍎 strengthen the SD35 Enhanced Student Support Teams’ ability to support youth and families in connecting with community-based mental health and substance use services
🍎 address barriers to navigation of the mental health care system for youth and improve access to care
🍎 build youth mental health literacy and awareness of local services; and empower youth to take a proactive role in their mental well-being.
“We recognize the importance of mental well-being on a young person’s ability to achieve success and their success directly impacts the strength of our workplaces, schools and communities,” said Mark Beckles, Vice President, Social Impact & Innovation, RBC. “Through our partnership with the Langley School District Foundation, RBC Future Launch will provide mental health supports and services to help address barriers including the low recognition of early signs and symptoms of mental health struggles, a lack of peer support networks and a disconnected system of care.”
Grant Update: November 2023
Navigating Resilience: The Langley Youth Mental Health and Substance Use Project
Mental health and substance use (MHSU) concerns are on the rise among youth, creating an urgent need for more accessible services and support. The Langley School District Foundation has partnered with the Langley School District and community service providers on a collaborative initiative funded by an RBC Youth Well-Being Navigation Grant to build a more integrated and comprehensive MHSU system that is easily accessible by Langley youth.
Rooted in a multi-year engagement process involving over 90 youth and various community service providers, the project seeks to break down barriers in accessing MHSU supports, nurture resilience and enhance well-being.
The project aims to cultivate connections to caring adults in schools and the community and support social and emotional development among vulnerable youth and their peers. By expanding knowledge and critical thinking skills as well as supporting connections with safe adults, the initiative strives to empower youth to navigate their mental health journey.
In November 2023, Guy Felicella attended several of Langley’s Middle and High Schools to discuss harm reduction, drug policies, prohibition, and the stigma surrounding mental health and addiction. To enhance the impact of these sessions, accompanying lesson plans were provided for teachers to integrate into their classrooms. Handouts for parents/guardians and resource stickers for students were also distributed, offering information and school/community resources for support.
A participant shared: “I was able to attend one of the presentations and the kids seemed very engaged. My son was in the audience and we were able to have a very meaningful conversation afterwards.”
Recognizing the growing concerns around student mental health and substance use, the project team will be extending professional development opportunities to teachers and staff. This support aims to enhance staff literacy in mental health and substance use, better equipping them to have difficult conversations and understand the resources available to address mental health and substance use concerns students face. The overarching goal is to arm youth with knowledge, tools, and supports that empower them to think critically, build meaningful connections, seek help from appropriate sources, and make informed decisions as they navigate their future.