Tonight at our street team meeting we began the night with our usual icebreaker game. We all had to stand in a circle with our left hand and our right finger on the person beside us’s shoulder. It was an interesting game because whenever we heard the word “cheese” we had to quickly try and grab the person’s finger that was on our own hand while at the same time trying not to let our finger be captured. It sounds sort of confusing , but it’s really not. It is however hard. And I failed miserably, I was out the first round. Apparently my brain doesn’t work quick enough and I’m not very good at multi-tasking.

After the icebreaker we were joined by special guests, Ashley (past mym volunteer) , who is going to be a panellist at the upcoming conference that we will be participating in, Helen Lowe, who is from the Ministry Child and Youth Services, and Purnima Sundar (who joined us on the phone) who is from the Provincial Center of Excellence. We discussed the sorts of things we will be talking about at the conference, which are the issues of Mental Illness and Addictions in youth.

After lots of discussion, brainstorming, and splitting up into groups, we knew a few things.

1. We were going to be leading discussions with a group of about 10 professionals.

2. We have some room to expand and put in our own ideas.

3. It sounded like it was going to be a blast.

I think that this opportunity to lead discussions and have our voice heard is going to be amazing, and very powerful. I think that the people at the conference will listen more to young people, because they are the ones this conference is targeting. Who knows what youth want and need better then youth themselves.

Once we had finished with our brainstorming and discussions, it was 6pm already. Time always seems to go so fast when we’re all sitting in the mindyourmind office. Even after saying my goodbyes, my mind was full of ideas, and I couldn’t wait to get back at it. I think once we’re done our planning that our part in this conference will be amazing. I think we will lead really good discussions, and really make a difference.

Written by Ivy, 13