CMHA offers free mental health course for youth in Sudbury

The Canadian Mental Health Association in Sudbury is helping youth in a new way – a general mental health & wellness course is for those 13 to 18 years old.

The Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) in Sudbury is launching a free eight-week course to help youth aged 13 to 18 build mental health and wellness skills.

The Living Life to the Full for youth program begins April 2 and will consist of 90-minute weekly sessions held in person at the CMHA office on Elm Street.

The course uses cognitive behavioural techniques in a group setting to help participants develop tools to navigate life’s challenges.

“We’ll be supporting youth in a fun and interactive way,” said Madisynn Cowan, the course facilitator and a youth mental health court outreach worker with CMHA.

“The goal is to help them recognize negative thought patterns and break those cycles.”

Cowan told CTV News that there is a growing need for youth mental health support, citing a State of Mental Health Canada study that found that hospitalization rates among youth aged 14 to 17 have increased by 136 per cent in recent years.

“The pandemic really impacted youth,” Cowan said.

“Many struggled with social isolation and missed out on learning essential life skills.”

The course was developed by Dr. Chris Williams, a psychiatrist based in the United Kingdom, and adapted for Canadian audiences by CMHA’s British Columbia division.

Cowan praised the program’s materials and structure, calling them “amazing.”

The sessions aim to equip youth with practical strategies to manage stress, build resilience, and improve overall well-being. Registration is free and space is available for interested participants.

For more information or to register, contact the CMHA Sudbury office.