More than 100 teens from across the region gathered in Flin Flon on Wednesday to learn valuable life skills
Grade 8 students from Flin Flon, Creighton, Cranberry Portage, Snow Lake, The Pas, OCN and other outlying communities attended the Step Up youth conference.
“We’re trying to show them positive ways to express themselves and to deal with things,” said Jill Rideout, chair of the Hope North Flin Flon committee, which aims to prevent and raise awareness around suicide. “And that when they come to tough situations, they will be able to [cope].”
Held at the Flin Flon Community Hall, the conference involved nearly 120 Grade 8 students. They registered to take in a keynote speech from Jared Star of Winnipeg’s Rainbow Resource Centre, a non-profit human rights group that works with gay, lesbian and transgendered Manitobans.
“The message for the Grade 8 students at the Step Up conference was that a diverse community is a healthy community, and that this includes lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, two-spirit and queer youth,” said Star. “I [spoke] about how conflicts within diversity are at the root of discrimination and that discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity impacts the entire school environment.”
Breakout
Following Star’s keynote speech and lunch in the Community Hall, the conference held breakout sessions with activities promoting mental health and positive lifestyle choices.
The youth participated in yoga and zumba as well as discussions with various community organizations.
“They learn about mental health and coping strategies,” said Rideout, mentioning just a few of the exercises the students participate in. “Our goal is protective factors. We want to give youth other options and show them positive ways to deal with situations.”
“We encourage youth to access trusted adults in their lives, whomever that may be, when struggling with their identity or with issues such as bullying, rejection at home or mental health concerns,” said Star.
The conference alternates each year with an evening that encourages youth to raise their voice and create videos for a contest.
The Hope North Flin Flon committee works on a few core projects throughout the year, including a World Suicide Prevention Day event in September.
