Saskatchewan Blue Cross Partners with Youth Matter Canada to Support Youth Mental Health

Saskatoon, Saskatchewan – August 23, 2023 | Saskatchewan Blue Cross, a leading health and wellness solutions provider in the province, is proud to announce its support for the third annual “Be Kind to Your Mind” Mental Wellness Symposium on October 19 at the Kerry Vickar Center, Melfort, Saskatchewan. Organized by Youth Matter Canada the Mental Wellness Symposium is a day of connection and conversation for youth ages 12 to 18 from Melfort and surrounding communities.

As a passionate advocate for youth well-being and mental health, Saskatchewan Blue Cross is proud to support this meaningful initiative. Youth Matter Canada and Saskatchewan Blue Cross values creating a safe, inclusive environment and inspiring positive action and meaningful change for youth through open discussion, learning new strategies and methods for managing stress, anxiety and emotions and maintaining healthy life-long mental wellness.

The symposium hosts approximately 300 youth, educators, and parents from 10 communities throughout the North East, Central and Northern parts of Saskatchewan.  The event is provided free for schools and students to attend to reduce barriers that may exist for rural youth to access mental health programming. With a professional support team and a lineup of unique artists and speakers, youth will be immersed in a day of connection and mental health conversation through the keynote speakers, breakout session workshops and “Mental Health Support and Services” expo offered.

Kelly Wilson, President & CEO at Saskatchewan Blue Cross, expressed her enthusiasm for this event by saying, “SBC is committed to supporting initiatives that promote healthy lives and communities, particularly those that support youth. We believe by investing in the potential of children and youth we are building a stronger and more vibrant future for all of us in the province.”

This year the symposium includes an impressive line-up of mental health advocates and professionals including;  Brad Siroski, public speaker and counsellor,  Jess Tetu, award-winning entrepreneur and philanthropist, Laura Lawrence, educator, author and founder of Youth Matter Canada, Daniel Hearn, founder of the Hard Knox Talks Podcast, Terrance Littletent, world champion hoop dancer, Linsey Levendall, internationally acclaimed visual artist,, Ally Hrabchek, award-winning and nationally recognized Indigenous baker, Shelley Enns, personal trainer and life coach, and Crystal Greenwood, owner of Okami Martial Arts.

Youth will have the opportunity to engage in art, music, dance, culture, mindfulness, and movement throughout the day in mini workshops as well as hear from the lived experiences of the mental health speakers.

“Youth Matter Canada believes facilitating positive and impactful connections and conversations surrounding mental health for Saskatchewan youth is an important piece to the puzzle of supporting healthy families and communities.  Our annual “Be Kind to Your Mind” Mental Health Symposium brings together hundreds of youth to explore and help youth build their own mental wellness toolkit for lifelong wellness.  It’s a day of great impact with high energy and excitement for the youth! On behalf of our executive board and team, I’d like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to Saskatchewan Blue Cross for partnering with us on this youth mental health initiative! ” said Laura Lawrence, CEO, Youth Matter Canada.

About Youth Matter Canada

Youth Matter Canada is a nonprofit organization based in Saskatchewan dedicated to providing mental health education, support, and opportunities for meaningful connection for youth, families, and communities. They foster a safe, inclusive community of youth and stakeholders that inspires positive action and meaningful change for youth and their mental wellness. They support and empower youth to become involved in speaking up and out about mental wellness through their “Be Kind to Your Mind” school and community presentation program and “Teen Talk Tuesday” online peer support program.  Their “Kids Connect Club” workshops and youth summer camps offer a unique experience for youth to connect and explore their creative minds.  Youth Matter Canada programs are designed to offer support for youth in socio-emotional development, self-regulation, self-awareness, and emotional regulation to support life-long mental wellness. For more information visit youthmatter.ca.

About “Be Kind to Your Mind” Mental Health Symposium

Creative minds have the power to help support mental and emotional wellness – from listening to music, dancing, drawing, painting, writing and creative expression of all kinds, these right-brain activities help to support a calmer, more regulated state for our nervous systems.

Hundreds of students from across the province will come together on Thursday, October 19 to spend a day immersed in connection, conversation and creative exploration with a unique and talented group of artists, professionals and mental health advocates.  There is a professional team of registered social workers and licensed counsellors on site throughout the day to provide any additional support that may be needed for the youth.

Youth Matter Canada, the event organizer, and local event sponsors, value creating a safe, inclusive environment and inspiring positive action and meaningful change for youth through open discussion, learning new strategies and methods for managing stress, anxiety and emotions and maintaining healthy life-long mental wellness.

About Saskatchewan Blue Cross

For more than 75 years, Saskatchewan Blue Cross® has been committed to delivering exceptional health and wellness benefits, travel insurance and life insurance solutions to Saskatchewan residents and employers. A locally based, not-for-profit organization, it’s recognized as one of Saskatchewan’s Top Employers, one of the Top 100 Companies in Saskatchewan, one of Canada’s Top 100 Brands (as part of the Canadian Association of Blue Cross® Plans), and proudly supports the wellbeing of more than 200,000 members. With a mission to empower communities on their journey to whole health and wellness, and a vision for a future of lifelong health and wellbeing for every person in Saskatchewan, this team is committed to advancing and benefiting the communities they call home. Learn more at: www.sk.bluecross.ca.

Media Contact

Cheryl de Villiers
Director, Marketing & External Affairs
306-260-1147
media@sk.bluecross.ca