Whether you’ve been on YouTube or not, I’m sure you’ve heard about what it’s used for. It’s a video sharing website where users can upload, share and view videos from all over the world from all kinds of people on a vast variety of topics. Searching mental health, depression or autism will generate hundreds of results. Some of my favourite results are the videos uploaded by youth sharing their experiences with mental health.

Last week, the Toronto Star published an online article about Matthew Calvin, a student at Meadowvale Secondary School, who made a video about depression for a class project. His goal was to make an informational video that youth could relate to, without it being too depressing.   After his own battle with depression,  producing this video was a way for him to reach out to other youth who may be dealing with similar circumstances but let stigma keep them from seeking help or speaking out. It was his teacher who decided to expand the video’s reach by submitting it to The Star.

A few months ago high school student, Jonah Mowry uploaded a video titled “what’s going on” to YouTube. The video featured Jonah tearing up while holding cards with text explaining the state his life was in at that point in time. Dealing with depression, bullying and suicidal thoughts, Jonah ends the video  stating that he has a million reasons to be here – a very strong message for young people dealing with depression, bullying or any other mental health issue.

While some of these videos may be hard to watch, the messaging in them is so important, especially for the youth who see them and are possibly dealing with similar issues. As adults we can talk a youth’s ears off about what we think is best for them, and tell them everything we think they want to hear, but, in reality, sometimes hearing it from a peer is the best way to get a message across.

The hundreds of youth who create and upload videos online or share them in their schools need to be commended for what they’re doing for not only their current peers, but for future youth who will be able to revisit these videos and realize that they are not alone and they do have a million reasons to be here.

How important is youth engagement to you? Please share your thoughts with me!

Click here to view Matthew Calvin's video and read The Star's accompanying article.

To view Jonah Mowry's video, search 'whats going on' on www.youtube.com