Youth Educator Volunteers

Join the movement to normalize and destigmatize conversations about mental health! Volunteer as a Youth Educator to facilitate our Self-Care for Mental Health workshop throughout the Lower Mainland of B.C.

Do you have a passion for working with youth? Interested in sharing messages of hope about mental health, wellness and suicide prevention?

Learn to facilitate our Self-Care for Mental Health workshop for teens throughout the Lower Mainland of B.C.

To apply for Spring 2025:

1. Review the requirements below, as well as our Youth Programs information here.

2. Attnend one of the Information Sessions about the Youth Educator Volunteer role. Note, it is a requirement to attend an Info Session in order to be considered to volunteer. Register here to receive and email notification wiht the Spring 2025 Info Session dates.

3. Submit an online Youth Educator Volunteer application. Note, applications are reviewed for applicants who attend an Info Session and wish to proceed to an interview).

What is the role?

As a Volunteer Youth Educator, you’ll facilitate the Self-Care for Mental Health workshops at schools (and possibly occasional online sessions). In addition, you’ll have opportunities to attend youth conferences and events, and to support community trainings at the Crisis Centre.

What’s in it for you?

    • Comprehensive training and on-going support
    • Opportunity to work interactively with youth in an educational capacity
    • Real-world experience to enrich your public speaking and group facilitation skills
    • Join the community of compassionate Crisis Centre’s volunteers
    • Make a difference: build hope and resiliency among youth
    • Reference letters (subject to completion of basic commitment)
    • Free access to our Wellness Webinars, and discounted registration for the 2-day ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training).

Testimonials

“I have really enjoyed my time as a volunteer for the Crisis Centre. The impact it has made in my life will stay with me always. I have such gratitude for your incredible training, support, and compassion.”– Melanie Wickes, former Volunteer Youth Educator

Volunteer requirements

    • Strong desire to work with youth
    • Interest in / personal connection to the topic of mental health and suicide prevention
    • Availability for all live training sessions  (Dates TBD in January of 2025)
    • 4-6 hours of independent learning (online and self-paced)
    • Completion of two half-days workshops: safeTALK & Skillfully Responding to Distress (flexible dates)
    • Daytime availability for workshop delivery (school hours) – two outings per month required
    • Minimum 1.5-year commitment (3 school semesters upon training completion) OR a minimum of 40 delivered workshops.
    • Willingness to travel throughout Vancouver, Burnaby and the North Shore; other Lower Mainland locations are optional
    • Successful completion of a Criminal Record Check (once accepted for the role)
    • Comfort with public speaking and group facilitation is an asset

Once interviewed and accepted for the training, attendance at all scheduled training dates is required. Live training sessions cannot be missed or made up and must be done in sequence.

Fees

    • The Volunteer Youth Educator training fee is $150.
    • Fees partially cover the cost of providing current and effective information, training and service to volunteers, which include safeTALK, and Skillfully Responding to Distress. The training fee is on sliding scale and can be discussed during your interview.

Questions?

Contact Lana at youthworkshops@crisiscentre.bc.ca

Help Make An Impact

Join us in responding to the mental health crisis and in fostering compassionate, connected, suicide-safer communities.

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Our Impact The topic and word "suicide" is not so scary after taking a training from the Crisis Centre of BC. I'm grateful to have been here today, and am hopeful that I can help people in the future. safeTALK participant, Agassiz