Project snapshot
The Canvas Institute and its five-week Youth & Community Mental Health Training program will empower high school students at Port Richmond High School in Staten Island. This initiative focuses on building emotional resilience, decision-making skills, and social-emotional intelligence through interactive activities such as role-playing, journaling, and mindfulness exercises. What sets this program apart is its foundation in evidence-based methodologies, including MIT’s Compassionate Systems Learning framework and Teen Mental Health First Aid certification. By integrating these leading approaches, students gain essential tools to navigate challenges, support peers, and engage in conflict resolution. A unique aspect of the program is its arts-based learning approach, using storytelling and creative journaling to make mental health education more relatable. With structured evaluations and progress tracking, the program ensures measurable growth in students’ leadership and advocacy skills.
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