TTC partners with East Metro Youth Services to launch mental health awareness campaign

In honour of Mental Health Week (May 6-12), TTC Chair Jaye Robinson joined Vince Tedesco, CEO of East Metro Youth Services, an organization supporting adolescent mental health needs, to unveil a poster designed by and for local youth this morning at Scarborough Centre Station.

The poster, designed by the New Mentality Group, is a visually engaging piece that provides information on “safe and friendly services for youth to access mental health resources.” It will be displayed in TTC subway stations in the east end of the city for the next four weeks.

“Access to mental health services is a priority for the TTC. We similarly partner with other community organizations to let our staff and customers know that there is help available,” said TTC Chair Jaye Robinson. “We are proud to work with East Metro Youth Services to help share this important message.”

The TTC has already implemented an internal Peer Support Team for employees who have been impacted by traumatic events. Additionally, the TTC partners with Crisis Link and Distress Centres of Toronto for suicide prevention and, more recently, with Victim Services of Toronto to help customers who have witnessed or experienced trauma. Transit Enforcement Special Constables also receive specific mental health training to identify and assist people in crisis, work with outreach agencies and provide referrals to support services in the community.

The New Mentality Group is a provincial network of youth and allies working to amplify the youth voice to influence change within the mental health system and beyond. Their work is grounded in the belief that youth experiencing mental illness must contribute to building and improving the mental health system.