The mental health epidemic continues to worsen amongst our youth. According to IMH, those aged between 19 and 35 make up about 45 per cent of new patients diagnosed with a mental illness each year.
As of 2020, suicide remains as the leading cause of death for individuals aged 10 to 29. 400 cases were reported in 2019, an increase from 397 in 2018, and 361 in 2019.
As a youth – what can you do? How can you be the change that you want to see, for yourself and for others?
Advocate for change along with our Deaf Partners, and other passionate individuals who share the same vision as you.
The #YoungXHush movement consists of 3 stages designed to train the next generation of leaders to promote mental resilience, inclusion and community empowerment amongst the youths.
Be immersed in experiential empathy. Learn how to sign emotions in complete silence, as an alternative outlet for self-expression and stress release.
Learn breathing techniques to regulate emotions, develop emotional and self-awareness.
Receive and give peer support in a safe space, while learning values such as empathy, resilience, gratitude, courage etc.
Student volunteers from Stage 1 will then undergo enriching training to develop their leadership and facilitation skills. Additionally, these individuals will be taught mindfulness-based stress reduction techniques.
Additional Signing will also be learnt, to encourage inclusion and emotional expression through bodily movements.
These skills and techniques will then be practiced through role-play, allowing the students to apply their new-found knowledge, before sharing them with their peers.
Initiate #YoungXHush circles within their own schools and communities. Continue building leadership skills in planning and implementing, and create advocacy skills in community empowerment, inclusion and mental resilience.
Instill volunteerism as a way of life for youth leaders, and learn deeper skills in collaboration and inclusion with our Deaf Partners.
As the future leaders of our world, the youth have the potential to shape our society into one that is more resilience, empathetic, inclusive, and self-aware.
In light of the rising mental health epidemic, #YoungXHush hopes to impart self care and stress management techniques to youths, and to spark a movement for change.
Are you passionate, and ready to be the change? Fill up the form, and let’s work together to build a better tomorrow!