The first in an Oak Bay series of community conversations on mental health is focused on youth mental health and addiction.

B次元官网网址淚 think there is a misconception that substance use and addiction are not an Oak Bay problem, when indeed it is,B次元官网网址� said Oak BayB次元官网网址檚 Liaison to Schools, Michelle Kirby. B次元官网网址淭his is an opportunity for parents, youth, and the community to talk about the epidemic levels of anxiety in youth today, and how many choose to turn to substance use as a coping mechanism.B次元官网网址�

The panel event was initiated by Kirby with the help of the Oak Bay High PAC mental health sub-committee, to address some of the struggles Oak Bay youth are experiencing.

The conversation will look at what parents, friends, and the community can do to help.

A line-up of panelists and special guests will speak to youth mental health and substance use issues, answer questions, and offer some guidance. Reg Fleming, program counsellor and coordinator of the Island Health Discovery Youth and Family Centre, and Cindy Andrew, the Helping Schools program consultant for the Canadian Institute for Substance Use Research, are both confirmed panelists with more to be announced.

B次元官网网址淲e all need strategies to help prevent the escalation of mental health problems, which can lead to addiction and accidental overdose,B次元官网网址� said Kirby.

Event: June 19, 7-9 p.m. at the Dave Dunnet Community Theatre, Oak Bay High