Youth
AFM Youth Services: What you can expect from us
If you are thinking about giving us a call here are some things that you can expect from us.
Our programs are designed to help people look at their alcohol/drug/gambling involvement to see if it is affecting their life in a negative way. You will have the opportunity to meet counsellors who understand youth issues and the potential effects of alcohol, drugs or gambling on young people's lives. If you decide that your use/gambling is causing problems for you your counsellor can provide support and assistance in making positive changes. We also provide counselling and support to young people who are concerned about someone else's alcohol/drug/gambling involvement.
Youth in our programs can expect:
A safe place to ask questions and express your concerns:
We want you to feel comfortable being yourself, without the fear of being judged, criticized or lectured
Confidentiality:
This means that your counsellor will not share information about you without your permission. There are some exceptions to this:
- If you disclose past or present physical or sexual abuse.
- If you are thinking about harming yourself or someone else.
- If you become involved in another AFM program.
- If your file is subpoenaed to court.
To be treated with respect:
This means that we will listen and talk with you, not at you. You have the right to think what you think, feel what you feel and believe what you believe.
Openness:
Your counselor will not keep information about you from you. You will be involved in all decisions affecting you.
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AFM Youth Programs:
If you have any questions or would like to talk to an AFM Counselor here is how you can reach us:
Community Based Services
School Based Services
Youth Residential Services (Compass)
Services for parents: Parents Intervention program
Youth Gambling Services
Community Based Services
In Winnipeg: Youth Community Based Services: We are located at 200 Osborne St North in Winnipeg. You can reach us by phone at (204) 944-6235. For more detailed information on this program click here. (bookmark below to Counselling & Assessments)
Outside of Winnipeg: If you are not from Winnipeg and do not have an AFM Counsellor in your school then you can see an AFM Counsellor in one of our community based offices. Check this list to find the office closest to you. For more detailed information on this program click here.
AFM Community Based Youth Services: Counselling and Assessments
Who are we?
AFM Community Based Youth Services provides services for young people from the ages of 12 to 18 who are either directly involved in problem alcohol, other drug or gambling behaviour or who are affected by someone else's involvement.
Our Program Goal:
The goal of our program is to reduce harm associated with alcohol, other drug use or gambling among Manitoba youth.
Our programming is flexible. The extent of substance use or gambling involvement among youth varies. Interest in participating in programs or in making changes varies too. Some young people may choose to work on abstinence, while others may choose to change their use/involvement by reducing the harm. AFM Youth Services programming is based on the "Stages of Change Model". This model recognizes that change is a process that involves various stages of motivation or interest in changing. We respect these different needs in our programs.
Our Services:
Assessment:
This may involve a number of individual or group sessions or a combination of both. The purpose of the assessment is to gather information that will help the counsellor and the young person set goals and make an action plan based on the young person's needs. This part of programming also often involves education on alcohol, other drugs and gambling.
Counselling:
This may also involve several individual, group or family sessions or a combination of both. The counselling programs will vary across the province. The purpose of the counselling programs is to assist the young person in meeting their goals.
Referral: AFM counsellors can make referrals to other services within AFM or external services as needed in order to help clients meet their goals.
How to reach us:
In Winnipeg:
AFM Community Based Youth Services
200 Osborne Street North
Phone (204) 944-6235
Outside of Winnipeg:
Check our list of provincial offices
to find the office closest to you.
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AFM counselors also provide counseling at several high schools in Manitoba.
Manitoba youth who use alcohol and other mood-altering drugs typically report starting use between the ages of 12-16.
Most of the youth who are referred to the AFM are students. Schools make a large number of referrals to AFM.
Providing AFM Counselling services in schools reduces barriers to referral and treatment for students and allows for early intervention.
The AFM Counsellor is easily accessible to consult with and to refer to. Students do not have to travel to receive services.
The AFM provides on site counselling services in a number of Manitoba Schools. For a summary of the service offered in a specific locatioin you are interested in, choose a school from the right-hand menu.
Assessment
This may involve a number of individual or group sessions or a combination of both. The purpose of the assessment is to gather information that will help the counsellor and the young person set goals and make an action plan based on the young person's needs. This part of programming also often involves education on alcohol, other drugs and gambling.
Counselling Services
This may also involve several individual, group or family sessions or a combination of both. The counselling programs will vary across the province. The purpose of the counselling programs is to assist the young person in meeting their goals.
Referral
AFM counsellors can make referrals to other services within AFM or external services as needed in order to help clients meet their goals.
Student Assistance Programs
The AFM Counsellor works closely with partnered schools to develop Student Assistance Programs. Student Assistance Programs are early intervention programs. They are designed to help identify concerns and connect students with helping services. They are based on the belief that the earlier a concern is identified, the earlier intervention can occur. Early intervention increases the likelihood that students will be successful in school.
Student Assistance Programs have many of the following components.
- Program Philosophy
- Comprehensive Policies
includes the development of an alcohol and other drug policy.
- Response Process
includes staff training in identifying student behaviours of concern and the development of a process to connect students with assistance.
- Prevention Programming
- Program Promotion
- Program Evaluation
AFM staff can provide training for any Manitoba school interested in developing a Student Assistance Program. Contact your local AFM Office for more information.
Manitoba Schools with AFM School Based Services
Other school based
program schools:
Portage La Prairie School Division
R.B. Russell Vocational School
River East Transcona Division
Selkirk Youth Counsellor
Sturgeon Creek Collegiate
St James Collegiate
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Compass Residential Youth Program  The Compass Residential Youth Program is an eight-week program for adolescents 13-17 years old who are experiencing significant problems with their use of alcohol or other drugs. A comfortable residential setting, Compass offers young people a full range of programming often not available to them in their home communities, and a group of caring staff who recognize the strengths young people have and their potential to succeed. The facility is located in Southport, four kilometres south of Portage la Prairie, Manitoba.
Click here to view pictures of our facility and amenities available.
Phone: (204) 428-6600
Fax: (204) 428-6611
Email: youthres@afm.mb.ca
Mission
To help our clients live, discover, and experience the hope and tools necessary to live well without dependence on alcohol or other drugs.
For more information:
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Services for Parents: Parent Intervention Program
Parents Intervention Program
This program is designed for parents and caregivers who are concerned about their child's use of alcohol and other drugs or gambling. Through the Parents Intervention Program, participants will be provided with:
- Information about our programs and how your child may benefit
- Information about the signs of harmful alcohol and drug involvement, and problem gambling
- Suggestions for dealing with alcohol and drug-related behaviour and its effects on the family
- An introduction to a community support group
Parents are not responsible for their child's alcohol and drug use or gambling problems, but they are one of the most important influences in their child's life. The guidelines offered to parents through this program will assist them in supporting their child, while helping to establish a more manageable living environment.
To find out more about this program contact your local AFM office.
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The definition of gambling used by the Addictions Foundation of Manitoba (AFM) is: any gaming behaviour involving the risking of money or valuables on the outcome of a game, contest or other event. The outcome of the activity is partially or totally dependent upon chance.
AFM is involved in :
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