This document summarizes a program evaluation of mindyourmind, a youth mental health promotion program. It found that 65% of online visitors reported having a mental health issue and 65% accessed support services due to the program's resources. Youth highly engaged with creating website content and outreach, and it gave their lives meaning. Service providers praised the program for its youth engagement model and for providing an important community service. Limitations included the short evaluation time frame and developing capacity for evaluation work.

1. Program Evaluation 2010 Brief Highlights Prepared forThe Provincial Centre of Excellence in Child and Youth Mental Health at CHEO

2. Background 80% of all psychiatric disorders emerge during adolescence and are the most common of all teenage illnesses Approximately 15% of Canadian young people have diagnosed mental illnesses. Only 25% of Canadian youth between the ages of 15 to 24 access formal or informal supports Stigma is a major barrier to accessing services

4. Stigma Reduction

5. Social Marketing

6. Intervention

7. Model for Civic Engagement

9. Program Delivery Peer-to-peer communications Volunteer Street Teams Peer Driven Social Marketing Campaigns Advisory Group Websites and other broadcasting channels 5500+ hours of volunteer contributions Service Provider Supports

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13. Evaluation Questions Do website visitors report they have accessed needed services because of information gained from mindyourmind? What is the reach of mindyourmindprograms? Is our mental health promotion and social marketing effective in communicating our message to the community? 21

14. Evaluation Questions Are young people involved with mindyourmindlearning about mental illness, mental wellness and because of this learning is there stigma reduction? Are youth engaged in mindyourmindprograms? What do stakeholders think of mindyourmindprograms and its process of engaging youth? 21

15. Key Findings 65% of online survey respondents reported having had or currently having a mental health or emotional health issue This is an online resource for young people looking for support. 65% of repeat users access formal or informal supports as a result of the tools and resources on mindyourmind.ca This is 160% improvement as compared to Stats Can Canadian Community Health Survey

16. Key Findings 65 % of visitors self-identified as having a mental health issue or concern. Those looking for help are finding us. 31% of those are return visitors. Speaks to effective engagement. 21

17. Key Findings Significant correlations between the length time youth have used the website and youth reports of: going through tough times using the tools, games and resources to get through that tough time recommending the use of tools and resources to friends and family helping friends and family with mental health concerns because of what they have learned on the site.

18. Key Findings High level of involvement that increased over time Involvement in project gave their life meaning, and would be very difficult to give up their involvement Re: knowledge acquisition, significant improvement in knowledge of mental illness and how to help others with mental health concerns

19. Youth Comments “…as one of first youth group Youth Ambassadors to create content for the first version of the website it (the experience) changed my whole life…” “I became a resource in my school for students and teachers, especially after a student committed suicide.” “This is a great site, helpful to the extreme, thank you ms. King for giving me this site to look at...” “this site makes me relize that im not the only one, thank you”

20. Service Provider Comments “I am an administrator in a high school in Ontario. I am so impressed by what I am seeing on your website--will be sure to be passing this along. Thks “...thank you for providing such a viable important service” “I would definitely borrow from MYM's model for youth engagement in future.” “Adults were able to use youths’ strengths to enhance and stimulate their participation”

21. Limitations Expected challenges during evaluation: short 7-month time frame number of groups evaluated methodological issues developing capacity for evaluation work

22. reach out get help give help