CANTON -- In recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month, the St. Lawrence County Youth Bureau invites all county teens, grades 6 through 12, to attend an online meeting next Wednesday, May 12 at 7 p.m.

The meeting will be facilitated by three to four teens who are members of the Youth Bureau’s Youth Committee. It will be moderated by Youth Bureau Director Alexa Backus, and St. Lawrence County Community Services Mental Health Program Director Amy Richardson.

“Next week, our teens will have an opportunity to have a safe place to open dialogue about how they’re doing. Our youth committee decided it’s time to open communication about tough topics such as feeling overwhelmed, depression, teen bullying, and feelings of grief. This is a peer-peer teen discussion where feelings are communicated and self-care strategies are exchanged,” Backus said.

“Youth undergo a variety of physical, cognitive, emotional, and social changes during adolescence. Peer facilitated discussions can lead to improved attitudes and a more personalized, engaging, and collaborative learning experience, especially around such sensitive topics,” Richardson said.

The Youth Bureau requests your help in encouraging students to register to attend. “We feel teens are more likely to engage in tough topics when it’s facilitated by other teens,” Backus said.

The meeting registration link can be found on the St. Lawrence County Youth Bureau Facebook page or email RZuhlsdorf@stlawco.org. People can call 315.379.9464 with any questions.