2. THE LINK OBJECTIVES
To increase grades 6 to 12 youth’s awareness of community resources and support services.
To enhance youth problem solving and coping capacities.
To prevent escalation of issues or concerns.
To contribute to the development of mental fitness and resilience in youth.
To contribute to the development of a culture of wellness in schools.

3. HISTORY
Created in Grand Falls region in 1999 following the suicide of three youths.
Implemented by mental health professionals, school and community reps, and the local Suicide Prevention Committee.
Province wide since 2006
Provincial wellness strategy: Mental fitness and resilience

4. STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS
Included in “Keeping Children and Youth Safe from Harm in New Brunswick”.
Included in the “Action plan for mental health in NB”

5. THE LINK SYMBOL Rounded shapes - collaboration and flexibility.
Grey - trust, green - hope, yellow - prevention , burgundy - caution.
Links symbolize the connection between members of the community.
Also represents the “Helping tree”.

6. 14 regional LINK committees
ORGANIZATIONAL CHART
Executive committee
14 regional LINK committees
Provincial Coordinator
Provincial Commitee
Executive Committee
Regional Committee Presidents

7. REGIONAL LINK COMMITTEES

8. Key elements
Helping Tree
Link Companions
Link Resource Card
Posters, Stickers and Banners

9. LINK brochure

10. HELPING TREE

11. HELPING TREE – LISTING OF POTENTIAL ISSUES
Physical, emotional or sexual abuse, negligence and/or family violence.
Bullying, relationship violence, harassment, threats.
Legal issues
Social isolation
Physical health & nutrition
Spirituality - religion
Grief

12. HELPING TREE–LISTING OF POTENTIAL ISSUES (continued)
School-related issues (academic, motivation, socialisation).
Financial, housing , or employment issues
Addictions (drugs, alcohol, gambling, tobacco, etc…).
Support to teenage parents
Social rehabilitation

13. HELPING TREE –LISTING OF POTENTIAL ISSUES (continued)
Suicidal thoughts, mental health issues
Anger management, assertiveness
Eating disorders
Relationships, heartbreak, peer pressure, sick parents or friends, parents separation or divorce.
Sexual health and pregnancy
Sexual orientation and gender identity

14. THE LINK COMPANION
A non-specialist who provides assistance in the helping relationship.
Listens emphatically, uses basic active listening techniques.
Using the helping tree, provides support in clarifying issue and, if necessary, identifying support services.

15. COMPANION STICKERS
Stickers are used to identify the « LINK companions ».
Placed in strategic places so that students can easily know where to find them.

16. LINK RESOURCE CARD
Each student is given a resource card and asked to sign it.
Can be used as a communication tool between the student and the “Link Companion”.
It means “ I need your assistance”
The card also includes numbers for support services and emergencies.

17. LINK POSTERs and banners
In schools where the program is active, a giant banner and posters are strategically placed throughout the school.

18. LINK banner

19. LINK POSTER

20. LINK POSTER

21. Implementation Steps 1 - Create a Regional Link Committee
2 - Adapt and print Link materials (resources cards & helping tree).
3 - Develop an implementation plan
4 - Develop partnerships with school administrators
5 - Recruit school coordinators

22. Web site www.programmelemaillon.com www.thelinkprogram.com
* The Helping Tree (interactive version) is also accessible on smart phones via a QR code.

23. Questions?