CANADA
Accessing mental-health services in the North can be an intimidating
ordeal – especially as a young person.
But after a recent
experience with the system himself, one Yellowknife high school student
is trying to make things easier for his peers.
Devon Hodder
started Northern Minds after an experience at Stanton Territorial
Hospital made him realize his fear of navigating the mental-health
system was unfounded.
"I've been struggling throughout my life,
and I never really did anything about it," he said. "Then, one day, I
was picked up by the RCMP after someone called, because they were
concerned."
Hodder spent a week in the psych ward at Stanton
Territorial Hospital, where, he said, he learned the importance of
self-care.
"You gotta take care of yourself first. It shouldn't
matter what other people say," he said.
Though his experience of
the hospital's services were positive, Hodder had no idea until he was
there that so many resources were available to those struggling with
mental health.
Program connects youth over Snapchat
In early January, Hodder started Northern Minds to get resources in
front of young people who, like him, struggle with mental health.
Together with two friends, Breeya Matheson and Ally Curtis, Hodder
started a "youth ambassador program," connecting young people in need of
counselling over Snapchat.
Behind the scenes, Hodder and his
friends get support from professional psychiatrists and counsellors.
They say they've already received interest from youths and their
parents in need of advice about navigating the system.
"A key
part is getting the message out there, and giving people something to
connect to," said Hodder.
In addition to the ambassador program,
the Northern Minds website hosts resources on mental health from the
Canadian Mental Health Association.
Hodder is also planning a
series of support groups aimed at quashing negative stigmas around
mental health.
"It's OK to not be OK," Hodder said.
Northern Minds is currently looking for more volunteers to expand their
programming. More information on the organization is available at
northernminds.ca.
By John Last
18 February 2018
