With Taylor Meissner at Intersections Therapy Collective. Young people in Canada aged 12 to 17 say their mental health has declined since 2015, and the decline is more pronounced amongst young women. On top of that, children and youth who are recent immigrants or refugees, racialized, or in rural and remote communities are less likely to get appropriate mental health care.
Think social media pressures, hyper-sexualization, stereotyping, toxic masculinity, bullying, fear of rising abuse and harassment, climate anxiety, and generally feeling left behind. The list of what girls and gender-diverse young people face today is intense. Their mental health and well-being, as well as their sense of connection, belonging, and confidence have been shaken. Their healthy relationship skill development opportunities have taken a hit, too.
How can caring adults in the lives of girls and young people smooth the transition back to school? How can we support improved youth mental health, confidence, and healthy relationships?
Taylor Meissner joins us to talk about it. She is a Registered Social Worker with a Master of Social Work from the University of Toronto. She has lived both in Tkaronto and unceded Algonquin territory or Ottawa, where she currently resides. She is a Disabilities Coordinator/Learning Strategist at Carleton University. Taylor also provides counselling in private practice at Intersections Collective, mainly working with 2SLGBTQ+ adults and youth. Outside of paid work, you can find her doing grassroots/community organizing, reading a book from the library, spoiling her Rottweiler Sappho, or delighting in swimming outdoors like the mer-creature she is.
Note: If youth are struggling academically or socially, families can reach out to their school's guidance counsellor or accessibility office, local community counselling services (which often offer services on a sliding scale or free of charge), and after-school community recreation programs.
Relevant links: find mental health and other services and resources at canadianwomen.org.
Episode Transcripts
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