Youth After School Program & Support
Middle & High School After School Program Monday – Thursday from 2:15pm – 5:00pm
Weekly no-cost mental health activities including: Willow the Therapy Dog from You’re Not Alone, Painting classes from Creative Studio 23. Other activities: Fully stocked art room, games, puzzles, and calming corner space
Partnership with CAER Food Shelf to provide healthy snacks and beverages for every student.
To sign up – simply have your parent or guardian fill out this form and email to melissa@thumbsupformentalhealth.org
Adultish Hangout Ages 16-19: every Tuesday from 7:00pm-8:30pm
To sign up and for additional information, please contact Maria 612-405-0951.
Location: Thumbs Up – 305 Jackson Ave. Suite B, Elk River, MN 55330
This is a free weekly drop-in group for emerging adults (16–19-year old’s) aimed at facilitating connections between peers as well as supportive leaders. At Adultish we grow through our connections we make with others through art, games, laughter and positive support. While we do not directly address mental health, we believe that social connections are a foundational part of mental wellbeing. We value and welcome all people; we cannot wait to meet you!
Meet the Group Leaders!
Maria “Mia” is a social worker, mom, pug owner, and amateur baker. Lauren is guardian ad litem, and artist.
Suicide Prevention Panels & Presentations
- We talk to middle and high school health classes about mental health & suicide prevention.
- Our hope is that our stories will help students open up the conversation about mental health when they go home and also in their friend groups.
- The message is one loss to suicide is too many and we must all do our part to continue the conversation about mental illness and that’s it’s okay to ask for help.
Youth-Led Suicide Prevention Programs
- We currently support the follow youth led suicide prevention clubs annually:
- Elk River High School – Yellow Ribbon Club
- Rogers High School – H.U.S.H. (Helping U Seek Help
- St. Michael-Albertville High School
Partnership Open Doors for Youth
- Supporting the Open Doors for Mental Health Counseling Program.
- In 2021, Open Doors for Youth’s therapist saw a total of 35 unduplicated youth, for a total of 300 appointments.
- Of the 300 appointments, 225 were at the center or tele-health, and 75 were through outreach in the Princeton schools (HS and ALC).
- Their therapist provides therapy at ODFY three days per week.