Youth United For Change

Youth United For Change Documentary

Toolkit #YU4Change

Produced by: The Copeland Center for Wellness and Recovery

2 2

Copyright © 2015

The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) and The Copeland Center for Wellness and Recovery

Copeland Center For Wellness and Recovery PO Box 6471 Brattleboro, VT 05302 (802) 254-5335 www.copelandcenter.com Copeland Center Staff: Matthew Federici, M.S., C.P.R.P., Executive Director

NAMI Support, Technical Assistance and Resource Center (STAR Center) 3803 North Fairfax Drive Suite 100 Arlington, VA 22203 Toll-free: (866) 537-STAR (7827) Fax: (703) 600-1112 www.consumerstar.org www.nami.org STAR Center Staff: Tanya Ryder, M.Ed., Project Manager Chacku Mathai, C.P.R.P., Director

Funding for this publication was made possible by grant SM59959 from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Center for Mental Health Services. The views expressed within do not necessarily reflect the official policies of the Department of Health and Human Services; nor does mention of trade names, commercial practices, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.

The NAMI STAR Center gratefully acknowledges SAMHSA as the funding source for the STAR Center’s work and activities. Please visit SAMHSA/CMHS at http://mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/cmhs for helpful information, resources, self-help tools, guides and links.

The views and opinions in this document do not necessarily reflect those of SAMHSA or the U.S. Department Health and Human Services and should not be constructed as such.

3 3

A Special Thank you to: Copeland Center National Youth Advisory Board, Special Projects Committee

Amanda Lipp Amber Mace Beverly Moreno Christopher Jackson Dana Foglesong Greg Dicharry Jawanza Hadley Jessica Travenia Kimberly Marquez Lacy Kendrick-Burk Lala Doost Rashad Eady Rocio Elenes Susan Manzi Troy Wilde

National Focus Group Participants and Advisors

Anthony Capo Ashlee Houver Eduardo Trado Greg Dicharry Hanna Pottor Jawanza Hadley Jessica Travenia Kimberly Marquez Lacy Kendrick-Burk Lala Doost Lexi Sandoval Mackenzie Farrell Susan Manzi

Featured Stars Anthony Capo Ashlee Houver Eduardo Trado Elijah Lucus Hanna Pottor Jessica Travenia Kate Fisher Lacy Kendrick-Burk Mackenzie Farrell Susan Manzi Troy Wilde

Video Production by Project Director Letty Elenes

Toolkit Developers and Editors

Jessica Travenia Kimberly Marquez Letty Elenes Susan Manzi

Music by Ekhaya Youth Project- Frontline CD “I’m a Make it” Featuring Yung Honore and AV Mitchell “Inside” Featuring David Sylvester

Survey Developer – Support Lacy Kendrick-Burk

WRAP Workshop Facilitators

Lala Doost Rocio Elenes

Smiles Style Entertainment Greg Dicharry – Director, Videographer and Editor

4 4

In making the documentary, Youth United For Change and its toolkit, we had the fortune of working with a very passionate youth leader, Amber Peachez Mace. Amber was a strong advocate for mental health, and self-harm awareness in her community. She was an instrumental member in the making of Youth United For Change and did not hesitate to be involved, as she wanted her story heard by other young people who might be dealing with similar experiences. Many of us who have had similar challenges everyday know how hard it can be when we are not feeling well and how difficult it can be to ask for help. Amber recognized these signs and decided to take personal responsibility in seeking professional support, which for Amber meant voluntarily admitting herself into a hospital. Unfortunately, while in the care of the hospital, Amber was given medication she had not used before, and passed away the next day. It is with the support of Amber’s family, friends, and mentors that we dedicate this documentary to Amber, who was a strong youth advocate and leader that fought everyday for her recovery.

“Amber was our board member, but most importantly she was our friend. Her efforts in bringing awareness to self-harm will continue. She is now a grand legacy in our hearts and in our movement. May peace be with you.” – Letty Elenes, Project Director

“ My Core Gift is being a terrific support to individuals. I share this through my writing and communicating my resiliency with humor and a positive attitude to aid others on their road to recovery.” – Amber Mace

“Amber was a friend to everyone she met, and always saw the best in others. Those who knew Amber as a friend, or had just met her, always use the word “love” when describing her. Even when she was going through some very dark times of her own, she always offered words of support and encouragement to those around her. Amber had amazing insight into her own struggles and an uncanny acceptance of them.” – Robert Walker, Amber’s Mentor

“Be the reason someone smiles today, never give up.” – Tammy Mace, Amber’s Mom

In Memory of Amber Peachez Mace

12/7/94- 8/30/15

5 5

Table of Contents: Introduction 6

Getting Ready For Video Talk Circle

Event Pre-Planning 7

Day of Event 8

Video Talk Circle Dialogue 9

Event Timeline 10-11

Helpful Tips for Organizations Providing Services to Youth

Creating a Safe & Welcoming Environment 12

How to be Culturally Youth – Ready 12

Youth Engagement Helpful Tips 13

Appendix 1 (Evaluation Form) 14

Appendix 2 (Dialouge Questions) 15

Appendix 3 (Safe-Zone) 16

Appendix 4 (Eight Dimensions of Wellness) 17

6 6

Youth United For Change is a short documentary showcasing common challenges faced by culturally diverse youth in their journey towards wellness recovery. In this documentary we highlight key resources, programs, and strategies that have successfully worked to support the wellness journey of youth.

Youth United For Change was created because we believe that there is no better time than the present to empower our young leaders.

We have developed this companion toolkit to help you plan a video talk circle event. These tools can support individuals, agencies, youth advocates, and partners from all cultural backgrounds who seek to promote youth wellness and leadership.

This documentary and toolkit were developed for the advancement and expansion of wellness strategies for youth leaders by youth leaders.

In developing this documentary and toolkit, we come from the following values and beliefs:

• Youth are experts in their own wellness and challenges, and that providing peer support, leadership development, and helping them to explore positive coping skills and self-care techniques will help them sustain wellness.

• Creating youth-dedicated and friendly spaces.

• Creating safe and hate-free spaces.

• Equity comes from uplifting the most vulnerable, so spaces should be culturally and ethnically diverse.

• Support people in youth’s lives can be a great value, especially in terms of mentorship and coaching through life challenges.

Introduction

#YU4Change #YouthWellness

#YouthPeerSupport #YouthInspiringYouth

7 7

Event Pre-Planning

Allow for at least 60 days in advance if possible for proper preparation time.

First things first:

• Create and set a budget for your event. • Make a checklist of all the materials you are going to need. • Make a list of things you already have and things you can borrow from a

partnering organization. Create a shopping list if necessary. • Remember food, snacks, and/or incentives are key for youth attendance. • Have your materials ready at least two weeks in advance if possible. • Decorate the space to make it as welcoming and fun as possible!

Second:

• Create a colorful flyer and spread the word! • Recommended places to post your event:

o Social networking sites (e.g. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram) and email lists o Community calendars/ bulletins / newspapers/ schools/ universities o Teen centers/ clinics/ community activity programs

• Location, Location, Location!!!! Make sure your location is easily accessible by all. • Your event day and time can make or break your event. Make sure you do your

research on school schedules and other local events. o Usually events after school time work best. If in doubt just ask your local

youth what day and time works best. o Some of your guests may be riding the bus or walking. If possible, have

transportation available. Plan to have a lot of wiggle room just in case of latecomers.

• Ask local community organizations to collaborate and share resources or support.

Third: • Do not forget to follow up and send friendly reminders to the people who have

RSVP’d. We have found that texting and social marketing works best with our young population.

Youth United For Change

8 8

Day of Event Estimated time Allocations for Day of Event • Welcome (5 minutes) • Showcase Documentary (15 minutes) • Video Talk Circle Debrief (20-30 minutes)

o Ask each person what went well? What are they walking away with? o Also think about how to keep the momentum of positive well-being

thriving…where should the team go from here? • Clean up (30 minutes)

o The environment should look like what it was when you arrived • Wrap-up (60 minutes)

o Send out individual thank-you’s to all those that supported the event, and everyone that came.

o If you planned a future event, be sure to invite those to come after.

Logistics ü Have a welcome table with a sign-in sheet, any accompanying resources and

wellness plans to give away. ü Make sure you have extra copies of your handouts, evaluation forms and sign-in

sheets. Some youth may bring unregistered friends, cousins and neighbors. All guests should be welcomed.

ü Organize the seating area in a U-shape, so everyone has a chance to connect and see each other’s faces. This promotes inclusion.

ü Have an art table for those that need to create or work with their hands to learn. ü Have a food table if you have snacks and beverages. ü Have soft, socially conscious music playing in the background. ü Greet all youth. Make sure you are available and interacting with them at all times.

Have other staff/ volunteers support you. ü If possible, have a peer supporter available for moral support for the youth guest. ü Be flexible! A room change or agenda items may need to be moved. It is going to be

okay, life happens.


9 9

Video Talk Circle Dialogue

• Have someone from the leadership team that loves people and has high energy welcome everyone.

• Allow everyone to introduce themselves and do an icebreaker.

• Host goes over agenda, and what happens for the time you are together.

• Show documentary.

• Host a dialogue. Utilize Appendix 2, with key questions to help facilitate your dialogue. Best Practices o Listening is the most important thing one can do for another. o Avoid giving advice, unless you ask for permission and it is based on your

personal journey to wellness; remember to keep it in “I” statements. o Let that person know you are listening by asking questions about their

experience and feelings. o Be aware of your body language, and if you are feeling tense, be sure to stretch,

shake your body or do some deep breathing. o Seek professional support if anyone tells you they are going to harm themselves

or another person. Call 911 in case of an emergency and have resources for a National Hotline available.

o Do something fun to raise your guests’ spirits after intense conversations. • Wrap up:

o Go in a circle and ask everyone for a voluntary wellness checkout. o Recap the day, give them an inspiring message/quote and remind them that

recovery is possible; it is best to promote healthy, positive well-being. o Thank everyone for their input on such an important issue, and that you and your

team will stay after if anyone needs some support. o Make sure to handout Evaluation Forms, Appendix 1.

• Aim to always end on a positive note.


10 10

Event Timeline

Plan video talk circle When Eight weeks in advance, or more.

How Create a leadership team of at least two youth to support the planning process. Why It helps to have youth-to-youth organize groups because it provides leadership

opportunities and youth network building.

Notes 1) Set a date! 2) Make a flyer or social media e-vite to share the date, time, location and

purpose. 3) Share with as many people as possible.

Build a team!

When Six – ten weeks in advance.

How 1) Ask each youth leader what role they would like to have? 2) Build roles based on skills and interest (e.g. are you a people person?

Would you like to be the outreach lead?). 3) Set key milestones you hope to accomplish and how you will celebrate

each benchmark met!

Why Teams bring diversity of thought and new ideas. Teamwork makes the dreamwork!

Notes After you have built your team, set a meeting date to watch the video and talk about what questions you want to ask the youth at your event. Go over all the details of the event, you will most likely require multiple pre-planning meetings.

Find a location

When Eight – ten weeks in advance.

How If you would like to host your event out in the community, try partnering with a school, community center and/or a faith-based center. Often times, these locations can be free. Make sure you let them know your mission and how you hope to improve youth’s mental health well-being!

Why Finding a great location is the most important thing in organizing a successful event. Once this is completed, it is just about spreading the word and sending reminders to people.

Notes 1) Decide if you want a small or large group. Whatever numbers your team decides; ensure the location can accommodate your guest.

2) Make sure it is accessible to all. Youth United For Change

11 11

Event Timeline

Food Ordering When Three – four weeks in advance.

How Create a food committee responsiable for ordering food and getting donations from local mercants.

Why It provides leadership opportunities and it might save you money if you are able to get food donated.

Notes Call your food vendor the day of to ensure time and location is accurate.

Outreach, outreach, outreach! When Six – eight weeks in advance.

How Be sure to outreach in many ways; in person, via social media, and flyer distribution. Do this as often as possible.

Why One out of three people that RSVP actually show up, so be sure to make a goal of how many people your team wants to attend, and multiply it by three.

Notes Make sure to keep an RSVP list to know who is coming and how to reach them for reminders. Two weeks in advance, one week in advance, three days in advance and then day of.

Setting up When Three hours before event start time.

How Have the whole working team show up and start to set up the space. Reference page eight for Day of Event tips.

Why Creating an inviting space, especially to talk with others about mental health challenges and well-being can stir up emotions. Try to create an environment others will feel comforted.

Notes Take a break before the event starts to help clear your mind.


12 12

Creating a Safe & Welcoming Environment

Ask yourself:

Would I come here for services?

Is the reception area clean?

Is the receptionist knowledgeable of your services, and what is available around your area?

Does the area have resources available (e.g. community events, employment postings or local educational workshops)?

How to be Culturally Youth – Ready

Ask yourself “do you feel comfortable?” Is the office warm and inviting?

Is there a water/tea and light snacks available?

Do you have a safe-zone sign displayed? See Appendix 3 for an example.

Tips • Your receptionist is the first person your youth will talk to and build a connection

with. Consider creating this position for a youth. • Consider creating a Resource Board with the information mentioned above. • Display youthful posters and art work on your walls. • Think about the possibility of hosting a youth art workshop quarterly or annually

and display the art. This is also a way to keep your office colorful and creative.


13 13

A little transparency goes a long way! Try to have a clear understanding of the youth’s background such as beliefs, culture and community. It would be valuable if you can relate to the youth; this will help you to connect with them. Simply ask questions if you don’t know. It is better to get a clear picture of where someone is coming from rather than filling in the blanks for them.

Treat each young person as a unique individual with unlimited possibilities despite their challenges. Be mindful that youth come from complex family dynamics and this can affect their situation and well-being. Meet them where they are at and validate their experiences! Be sensitive to the barriers they may be facing. This might be their first time advocating for themselves.

Give them a sense of hope and remind them that recovery is a journey, not a destination. It is okay to change paths at anytime. If you cannot relate directly to the young person’s experience or struggles, try sharing why you got into the profession. This may help the youth build trust, feel comfortable and break the ice.

Make it a mutual learning process for both of you! Listen first before recommending meds or suggesting services. Get to the heart of the matter, prioritize next steps, and collaboratively come up with an action plan with the young person, not for them. If medication is necessary, try providing natural alternatives.

Treat each young person with unconditional high regard, compassion, and respect. When taking notes, share some of the information that you’re writing down so that the youth feels comfortable. Share your purpose for writing it down. Not only will it help to clarify, it will also help them feel like you are a partner in their wellness journey.

Help young people help themselves without lecturing. Explore decision-making skills and help them come up with their own positive changes and decisions. Don’t forget to follow up on their decisions!

Always give options and choices. Suggest that they take notes themselves. Have tangibles they can hold while in the meeting. Also, for meetings that may bring up past emotional feelings, have a list of closing activities you can do so that the young person leaves your session grounded and hopeful, such as breathing techniques or affirmations. Keep in mind that cultural rituals may be more soothing for some people.

Be a supporter and a reflection of self-determination Things come up at the end of your meeting time that might need to be explored or talked about next time. Try briefly recapping the meeting then talk about possible future topics and have both of you write them down.

Youth Engagement Helpful Tips


14 14

Appendix 1 Evaluation Form

Date: ________________

Location: _____________

Time: ________________

1. Did you feel welcomed and comfortable?

2. Did you find the short documentary inspiring or relatable to youth?

3. Was the discussion helpful? Did you feel comfortable sharing?

4. Did the facilitators help promote a healthy discussion?

5. Additional Comments?


15 15

Appendix 2 Dialogue Questions

21

These are key questions to help you have a healthy dialogue during your video talk circle. There is no wrong answer. Depending on the size of the group and how well they know each other, you should determine how many questions to discuss.

• Did the short documentary inspire you? If so, how? • How did you relate to the youth’s experiences? • If you were experiencing a challenging life situation, who could you turn to for

support? Why that person, place or thing? • What does hope look like for you? • What does wellness mean to you? • What cultural healing practices or alternative treatments have you found

helpful in your life? • What strengths have you gained from the challenges you have faced? • How do you think diagnosis/ labels, trauma or crisis affect the level in which

youth involve themselves in leadership roles and community forums? • To what extent do these diagnosis/labels affect the opportunities for youth to

have a public voice? • How did the youth use the different dimensions of wellness to work toward

healing and advocating for themselves? See Appendix 4 for the eight dimensions of wellness

• Of the eight dimensions of wellness, what dimension is your biggest priority?


16 16

Appendix 3 Safe-Zone


17 17

Appendix 4 Eight Dimensions of Wellness

For more information visit http://www.samhsa.gov/wellness-initiative/eight-dimensions-wellness

The Eight Dimensions of Wellness are:

1. Emotional—Coping effectively with life and creating satisfying relationships 2. Environmental—Good health by occupying pleasant, stimulating environments

that support well-being 3. Financial—Satisfaction with current and future financial situations 4. Intellectual—Recognizing creative abilities and finding ways to expand

knowledge and skills 5. Occupational—Personal satisfaction and enrichment from one’s work 6. Physical—Recognizing the need for physical activity, healthy foods, and sleep 7. Social—Developing a sense of connection, belonging, and a well-developed

support system 8. Spiritual—Expanding a sense of purpose and meaning in life


Documents

Youth United For Change