Youth Hubs and Self-Reg: A Unified Approach to Supporting Mental Health and Community

Abstract

In this paper, I examine the critical role of youth hubs in addressing the increasing mental health challenges youth and young adults face. As mental health issues within this demographic continue to escalate, youth hubs provide a vital support system that effectively cater to their unique needs. I will discuss how the youth hub, operated by our non-profit organization, Youth2Youth Global, with support from the Vaughan Con Foundation, is adopting a distinctive approach by integrating Dr. Stuart Shanker's Self-Reg® framework. This initiative highlights our commitment to enhancing youth development with innovative strategies that emphasize how individuals manage stress in various forms and recover from the energy exerted during this process. In addition, I discuss the implementation of the Shanker Method® as a five-step approach within our youth hub to enhance self-regulation among children, youth, and young adults. The steps include 1) reading the signs of stress and reframing behaviour, 2) recognizing stressors, 3) reducing stress, 4) reflecting on enhancing stress awareness, and 5) restoring energy. This approach enables us to evaluate self-regulation and stress across five interrelated domains: biological, emotion, cognitive, social, and prosocial. My experiences in the youth hub have shown that stress can manifest overtly or subtly within these domains. Through comprehensive services and tailored interventions, youth hubs effectively address immediate mental health needs while fostering the long-term development of confident and compassionate youth. Ultimately, these initiatives equip young individuals with the essential skills needed to navigate the complexities of contemporary life.