New depression prevention and anti-stigma facilitator manual available
Girls Talk is a program for young women that promotes understanding and awareness about depression. A facilitator's manual for the program is now available free from the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH).

The program, which targets girls 13 to 16, aims to provide a safe place for young women to connect and learn about the contributing factors to depression through artistic and recreational activities.

The program consists of eight sessions that address a range of topics identified by young women with depression as key issues that have impacted upon their experiences. Topics for discussion include stress, relationships with friends and parents or caregivers, dating relationships, self-esteem, body image and the media, stigma and discrimination.

The manual also includes a literature review, tips for group facilitation and information on participant recruitment.

Girls Talk was developed from VALIDITY – the Vibrant Action Looking Into Depression In Today's Young Women - a participatory action research project that worked with young women ages 13 to 20 who had experienced depression. Other deliverables from the project include "Hear Me, Understand Me, Support Me: What Young Women Want You to Know about Depression," a free guide for service providers working with young women, and the "Let's Talk" poster that encourages primary care providers to take a holistic approach to young women's health. The Girls Talk program was pilot tested in 2004 through Youth Net Halton and Youth Net Réseau Ado Ottawa.

The free facilitator guide and a 15 minute webinar about the program are available for download at: http://www.camh.net/Publications/Resources_for_Professionals/Validity/40...