Description of the program

• 80% to 90% of young people who commit suicide suffer from some form of mental illness, often from depression (Conseil permanent de la jeunesse. Le suicide chez les jeunes : S.O.S. Jeunes en détresse !, notice, Quebec, February 1997, p. 28) 
• Depression is more than just teenage angst. It is an illness that can be treated and whose signs young people do not recognize.
• Early detection of depression prevents relapses and the chronic form of the illness.

• Develop personal and social skills among teens 14 to 18 by informing them, and the adults around them, of the importance of recognizing the signs of depression and encouraging them to try to spot them to prevent teen suicide at the source.

• Promote a healthy lifestyle;
• Explain the importance of a healthy life;
• Provide information about the existence of depression as an illness and about its seriousness and consequences;
• Distinguish depression from the blues;
• Demystify mental illness to break down prejudices and do away with taboos;
• Provide information about what to do if someone close to you seems to be suffering from depression and help teens direct their friends to the proper resources;
• Introduce teens to the resources available to help them;
• Respond to the needs of teens by quickly referring them to the right resources.

   
Who is the program for?

• Students and staff of high schools
  Students in high school second cycle students and groups in special courses, adult education, etc. We encourage all stakeholders in the school (teachers, management and other people interested in problems in schools) to attend the presentations.
• Parents
  In addition to visits to schools, Partners for Life presentation teams are available for presentations to groups of interested parents, depending on demand.
• Care providers in community groups
  The Foundation also offers presentations to care providers in community groups who want to update their knowledge of depression among teens. This information will allow them to better meet the needs of young people. If an organization wants to put together a group, a presentation team can meet with them.

Format

• 50- to 75-minute classroom presentation for small groups (maximum of 60);
• Activity leaders specially trained by the Foundation;
• Identification of medical and community resources (local and provincial);
• Distribution of a fact sheet;
• Welcome young people who are having difficulty or questioning themselves and refer them to nearby resources.

Content

Educational material and presentation content has been adapted and developed working with child psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, school care providers, communications specialists and young people. 


Message

Depression is an illness that also strikes teens and that can be treated. The consequences of untreated depression are dangerous. It has to be detected early, before a crisis, and it must be treated as quickly as possible. The message to teens: “You can get better and you can help your friend get better.”


Who are our activity leaders?

Presenters are hired for their ability to communicate and their familiarity with the reality of today’s teens. They do not intervene; instead, they refer teens who need help to the right resources. They receive one month of training from Partners for Life field managers and from program partners (Suicide Action Montréal, Tel-jeunes, health care network professionals, etc.). Our teams are always made up of two people, preferably one man and one woman, to maximize the impact among teens. Presenters receive ongoing training to keep them up-to-date on the needs of teens and to further their knowledge. Plus, field managers make sure that the right message is delivered during presentations.


Funding

The Partners for Life tour is offered free by the Mental Illness Foundation to high schools in all administrative regions of Quebec, because it’s a matter of life!