CANTON  -  In recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month, the St. Lawrence County Youth Bureau invites all county teens, grades 6-12, to attend a teen to teen discussion on reducing the stigma associated with mental illness on Wednesday, May 29 at 6 pm.  

The discussion takes place during Madrid Waddington Central’s Mental Health Awareness Community Fair.  

The workshop will be facilitated by St. Lawrence County Youth Bureau Teen Ambassadors, Anant Bansal, Kerisa Burns, and Alivia Sochia who have received suicide prevention training, QPR, and have participated in teen mental health initiatives with the Youth Bureau.

“We are providing a platform, during the Community Mental Health Awareness Fair, for teens to open dialogue with one another about how they can reduce the stigma associated with mental illness.  Too often, teens are reluctant about getting help for fear of being judged.  Our Ambassadors will discuss ways teens can support one another and how to get help from local resources,” stated Alexa Backus Chase, Youth Bureau Director.  

Teen yoga and mindfulness workshops are offered before the discussion. At 7 p.m. Dr. Jean Twenge, Professor of Psychology at San Diego State University, will virtually discuss mental health, cellphones and social media with families.

Event information can be found on Madrid Waddington Central’s website or by calling the Youth Bureau at 315-379-9464.  Alexa Chase can be emailed at achase@stlawco.gov.