Mental Health 

Somali Youth League Society  has a strong focus on supporting Somali youth' emotional well-being and has some great advice for first approaching  and starting after-schools.  

What are some of the ways Somali Youth League Society' are currently supporting after-schools?

Somali Youth League Society  supports two after-school  programs (Elementary & High School) providing  youth social care, peer support and mental health workshops.  We deliver weekly, term-time Tea& Story Telling  mental health sessions to the elementary students and peer mental health support to the High  school students. after-school Safe Space area for students.  Tea & Story Telling are fun and informal sessions where we make a (Tea) and (Story Telling) conversations with the children about their mental health and well-being. These workshops raise vital awareness and encourage positive mental health hygiene among the children.  The Safe Space area in the local school is a after-school space for students who may be experiencing challenges to their mental health or if they just need a space away from other students at after-school.  Syls provides peer support, activities and  mental health literature to the students.  

What have been the benefits of working with your after-schools - for both the school and the parents?

The benefits for the after-schools and Somali Youth League Society are improved, trustworthy relationships between all parties, the provision of emotional support to their young people and raised mental health awareness within the communities. I also believe that we are reducing some of the stigma that can surround our community.

We all need a bit of help sometimes. But it can be difficult to know how, or who, to ask. We look at some ways you can ask for the help you need.