Skate Mind Project
We're teaching youth (ages 12-18) a peer-based mental health training called Youth-Psychological First Aid, that they can use to promote resilience for themselves and their friends on and off the skatepark!
5 Step guide
Read the guide to start your own Skate Mind Project
5 Step guide
Read the guide to start your own Skate Mind Project
Reach Out to Us
We will begin by scheduling a video call to learn more about you and your community and to share with you all of the information about the Skate Mind Project and how to participate in a Youth-Psychological First Aid Training.
Organize a Community of Young People
This training is for youth between the ages of 12-18. We have found that young people who skate, or who are at least curious about skating, find these trainings to be the most interesting. While we wish we could invite everyone in your community to participate we recommending capping the total number of youth per training at 20.
Decide on a Space!
The Skate Mind Project is located in NYC and we don't want to spend all of our collective funds on travel. If you are nearby we can definitely explore doing a training in person. If you are further away, let's figure out how to do one online. We have done both in-person and online and they are both great!
Organize the Training
After you decide on a space and confirm who will be participating, we strongly suggest providing snacks for those participating. We will also provide you with some materials to print out in advance as well.
Celebrate and Skate
We want this training to feel very special for all of the youth who participate. A great way to do this is to organize a celebration skate session after the training. This could be on the same day or it can be on another day. There is nothing more fun than a skate session with your buddies and if anyone is feeling nervous, well, now they have some great strategies to support one another!
About Skate Mind Project
""The Skate Mind Project is doing the impossible to transform mental health for young people in the community, especially for skaters. Skating is a great way to meet people but a lot of young people are facing a lot of stress and are struggling right now. These trainings are essential for any kid who skates, or really any young person, to learn these skills which they can use and not feel so overwhelmed by everything they are facing." "
Great for
- Someone who works with or provides care for youth in the community
- Someone who wants to strengthen resilience and promote positive youth development
- Someone is passionate about youth mental health
- Someone who might be involved in the skateboard community
Time
The entire commitment should be about 10-20 hours. The Skate Mind Project likes to meet with Starters before launching a training to go over the materials, discuss logistics, and answer any questions. The actual training itself is about 90 minutes. The remaining time is dedicated to preparation, possible recruitment and identification of youth, and potentially reserving space and catering.
Resource checklist
- The identification of space (either online or in person)
- Permission from parents or caregivers
- Eligible youth (youth between the ages of 12-18)
- If online, ensuring a conducive space for participating