CSC Windsor, ON Design Lab, February 2019

What?

The mindyourmind team went to Windsor, ON to work with local youth through the Canada Service Corps initiative. The goal of the project was to co-create a mental health resource specific to the needs of the Windsor community, as identified by the youth. Once the resource is complete they will promote it in their community to ensure it reaches the appropriate audience.

Who?

mindyourmind, staff from Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare and 12 youth from Windsor: Ahmed, Aleyna, Ally, Cole, Daina, Daisy, Erica, Matthew, Pavneet, Shaawnonoo, Sophia and Tyler.

How?

mindyourmind worked with Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare to recruit youth who are passionate about mental health and being involved in their community. We had a two and a half day Design Studio and will meet with them throughout the process to gather their feedback. Over the course of the Design Studio and the subsequent webinars we were able to identify the top issues facing youth in Windsor. Following this the group decided they wanted to create an interactive quiz related to self-care and an interactive mental health workbook. They are also developing a promotional strategy to disseminate the resources across the city.

Why?

We recognize that mental health programs are not “one size fits all”. We wanted to provide youth with the opportunity to create a mental health resource that is specifically suited to the Windsor area. When resources are co-created and targeted they are more effective. Additionally this process provided the youth with valuable skills and transferable experience they can utilize in the future.

Tools

Hows it Growing? Discover your place in the garden and learn positive coping strategies by taking this quiz.

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Border Town Information about anxiety, depression, self care, and more!

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Youth Partners

A quote about the weekend.
What were your overall thoughts, feelings, and experiences?
If you had to eat one thing for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Here's how the team answered these questions:

Ahmed

Aleyna

A really successful weekend that I can always remember.

Food!

Ally

Your imagination is only as big as you allow it to grow.

Bananas

Cole

“I am only one, but I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something. And I will not let what I cannot do interfere with what I can do.” ~ Edward Everett Hale

I'd pick pizza. It might not be a long life, but it would be a good one!

Daina

Quote about the weekend: Never be afraid of change!

I had a fun experience and would totally recommend this to friends. I learned so much about mental health which can help me educate others and see warning signs.

If I could eat one thing for the rest of my life it would have to be chicken stir-fry with a whole lot of vegetables, I just can't get enough of it :P

Daisy

It was fun and very welcoming. Has some pretty good food too!

I had a really good experience over the weekend. We did activities that I normally wouldn't do, so it was new and exciting. My favourite part of the weekend was piecing together the mandella!

Pasta. I love pasta!

Erica

We live in a world where we need each other to get by and we need to know that we are not alone in our struggles.

We often neglect the ability of minds of the youths when they end up having the most creative and innovative ideas to help aspire change.

I hope that with these amazing innovative tools we can help better educate, support and end stigma of mental health.

If I could only eat one thing for the rest of my life, I would have to chose pasta.

Matthew

I thought our work over the weekend was very productive and it’s definitely easier to form ideas in a group!

And burritos!

Pavneet

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed. It is the only thing that ever has.” ~ Margaret Mead

Strawberries

Shaawnonoo

Throughout the weekend I learned many new things and met new poeple. Everyone there was kind and understanding. It was an amazing experience. :)

Overall I thought the weekend was a great time to speak our opinions on each topic. I felt very content with our final products. I felt the weekend was a good experience and will impact my future and the future of others.

Pasta!