The Keys to Mindfulness
A mindfulness mentorship program for youth of marginalized communities
The Keys to Mindfulness mentorship program aims to empower racialized youth of Toronto’s priority communities to develop essential skills for navigating lifes’ challenges. Through the implementation of a range of psychologically, emotionally and physically beneficial mindfulness practices this program will support youth in fostering a greater sense of self-awareness, managing stress, regulating thoughts and emotions, and enhancing their well-being and mental health. These are skills that are statistically proven to be invaluable in helping youth live overall healthier, happier and more fulfilling lives.
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HIGH LEVEL GOAL
Provide representative support
The youth of marginalized communities represent a large percentile of individuals in Canada that require mental health support and resources, but are disproportionately neglected by the systems put in place to provide that help. Additionally, there is a high degree of stigma around mental wellness in POC communities, with stats from a black focus group in 2020 showing that 40% of the participants believed seeking mental health help was a sign of personal failure. Taking note from the Confronting Anti-Black Racism unit of the city of Toronto, through The Keys to Mindfulness programming, we are Black-focused, Black-serving and Black-led, providing support that comes from a place of familiarity, and knowledge that is being passed down by people who’ve directly experienced and overcome many of the same hardships the youth are facing. We represent the true meaning of "For us and By us"
HIGH LEVEL GOAL
Emphasize that education is freedom
A number of Canadian studies found that, not only are racialized youth being disproportionately affected by zero-tolerance school disciplinary policies, such as the Ontario Safe Schools Act, they are also significantly over-represented in the Canadian Criminal Justice System. Findings suggest that there is a relation between racial disproportion of school suspensions and expulsions and the racial disproportion in the likelihood of youth-police contact. Equipping marginalized and vulnerable POC youth with a mindfulness toolkit to better regulate their thoughts and emotions, particularly within an educational environment, is essentially risk reduction and danger prevention in the face of the system that is seemingly working against them.
HIGH LEVEL GOAL
Promote mindfulness as a holistic approach to wellness
Canada has seen a steady increase in the use of mood and anxiety medication by children and youth in the past 5 years. While one youth may require a pill to calm anxiety, another may implement a mindful breathing technique for the same outcome. Unfortunately, there is much less emphasis on the holistic approaches to having a healthy mind than there is on the prescribed ones. While medical intervention for mental health is necessary for some youth, Unlocked Soulz will provide holistic forms of intervention that may be just as effective, if not more, for youth in our communities.
The Cirriculum
The Keys to Mindfulness program has four major pillars, or as we call them ,“Keys”.
Within these Keys are several learning modules, exercises, group discussions and individual mentorship opportunities, as well as tangible resources that will help to break down the barriers and stigmas around mental wellness, while also strengthening the participating youths' mental toolkits with reusable mindfulness techniques.
KEY 1
Introduction to Mindfulness
Define and demystify mindfulness, exploring its varied forms in daily life. We'll introduce the three core skills (focused attention, open monitoring, and acceptance), highlight their benefits, and provide practical ways to integrate them into a busy schedule, even in just 5 minutes.
KEY 2
Mindful awareness of
the present moment
Intentionally observe the current experience without judgment. This practice fosters a non-reactive awareness of thoughts, feelings, and sensations. By focusing on the present with full attention, individuals gain insights into their inner world, reduce stress, and enhance overall well-being.
KEY 3
Awareness of thoughts & emotions
Consciously recognize and understand mental and emotional states and observe thoughts and feelings without attachment. Cultivating this awareness fosters emotional regulation, insight into thought patterns, and more intentional responses to situations.
KEY 4
Awareness of self & others
Focus on conscious, mindful recognition of one's thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, along with attune sensitivity towards others. Cultivating self and social awareness is crucial for emotional intelligence, successful relationships, fostering empathy, and building meaningful connections in personal and professional spheres.
Sensing alignment? Let's connect.
Unlocked Soulz provides resources, programming and experiences centred around the concept of mindfulness as a daily practice for improved overall wellness for youth.