Youth mental health matters!
Low-mood, stress and anxiety can affect you at any age!
Understanding your mental health and taking steps to improve how you think and feel early on can make a big difference.
Living Life to the Full for Youth is a mental health promotion program and it is intended for everyone! Whether you just want to learn more about yourself or you are dealing with some stress or anxiety, the course can offer you tools and skills to help you along your journey!
Group-based and led by a youth-certified facilitator, Living Life to the Full for Youth equips teens ages 13-18 with the skills they need to face challenges in life and become more resilient. Originally adapted from the Living Life to the Full for Adults course, and based on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) principles, the course includes fun activities and group challenges to help youth practice and develop their skills. Course content and materials are practical and easily applied to everyday life situations.
In 8 enjoyable 90-minute sessions —one per week—this program empowers youth to make a difference in their own lives. Participants are taught how to deal with their feelings when fed up, worried or hopeless, and learn skills to help them tackle life’s problems.
What you’ll learn:
- Improving Self confidence
- Problem-solving
- Stress management
- Motivation
- Dealing with unhelpful thoughts
- Anger management
Format
Living Life to the Full for Youth is an 8-week course, delivered as one 90-minute session per week. Courses are available in-person or virtually.
Course Summary
Session 1: Why do I feel so bad?
Want to know what makes you tick? This session helps you understand how your responses to outside events can affect your thoughts and feelings.
Session 2: I can't be bothered doing anything
We’ve all said this to ourselves when feeling down. This session helps you break out of the cycle of low activity and sets out a simple plan for getting back in action.
Session 3: Why does everything always go wrong?
If that sounds familiar, this session will teach you how to stop it from taking control of your life. You’ll be introduced to the Amazing Bad-Thought-Busting Program and learn how to swap bad thoughts for good ones.
Session 4: I’m not good enough
How come other people seem so confident? Learn their secrets and get to like yourself again, with
practical suggestions about how to build your self esteem.
Session 5: How to fix almost everything
This session introduces the 4C Strategy—a straightforward way to fix your problems and achieve your
goals that has worked for thousands of people. Do you know how to reach the top of a climbing wall?
This session will show you how.
Session 6: The things you do that mess you up
When you’re feeling low you can start to lean on things to get you through a bad time. This session
helps you get back in control of excessive spending, gaming, binge-watching… anything.
Session 7: 1, 2, 3 Breathe!
This session teaches you the 1,2, 3 Breathe! system—everything you need to control your temper
and improve your happiness and relationships. No jargon, no theory, just practical help.
Session 8: 10 things you can do to feel happier straight away
The last session sums everything up and then shows you how to be happier, fitter and able to see the
positive side of life every day.
For more details on the sessions, click here to view the Youth Course Brochure.
Cost
Many in-person courses are offered in some schools and youth organizations (youth clubs, community centres, etc.), and occasionally to the large public throughout Canada.
Most courses are offered for free or at a low cost at partner organizations across Canada. Contact your nearest course provider for upcoming dates and prices!
Bring the Course to your Community!
Are you a school, non-profit, or community leader who wants to offer Living Life to the Full for Youth to your community?
More information on how to get involved can be found here – Facilitate Living Life to the Full
Testimonials
I really enjoyed was helping myself improve on many big parts of my life.
-Living Life to the Full Youth Participant, 2025
I enjoyed the overall information that I gained, and a judgment free zone to share.
-Living Life to the Full Youth Participant, 2024
I enjoyed taking a break from class to come learn some really great life skills.
-Living Life to the Full Youth Participant, 2025
I liked learning about how to make myself feel better when I’m feeling down.
-Living Life to the Full Youth Participant, 2024
Course Sponsors
We thank the Blue Wave Program and the BC Ministry of Health for their ongoing support in making Living Life to the Full available to youth.
Please click here for more information on the Blue Wave Foundation.
