Salon Series: Liberated Transparency

What have you done for at-risk youth lately? I donâ€™t know about you, but Iâ€™ve just attended the Salon Series: Liberated Transparency, which makes me a better person than you. But I digress. Salon Series is a place where speakers are invited to talk about various issues around the city, and everyone is invited to share their ideas in an open, positive setting.

This Salon, titlted â€œLiberated Transparencyâ€, was about mental health and youth at risk. It was organized by Sarah Jamieson, a self-described â€œsports philanthropreneurâ€, and one of the most vibrant, energetic people I have ever met (which is small wonder, seeing as how she has probably run enough marathons to go around the Earth once or twice). She started off with her own story about why she cares about this issue â€“ an abusive stepfather, a broken childhood and a bipolar mother who committed suicide three years ago.

The first two guest speakers were Kristina Dixon from the Canadian Mental Health Association and three police officers from Odd Squad Productions. They spoke about their efforts at youth outreach, and about what we can do to help those at risk. The Odd Squad also focused on the issues of drug abuse and prevention.

However, the highlight of the night was Alana Stockford, a partially disabled teen who attends grade 11 at Heritage Woods Secondary School. She recounted her experiences as a â€œdisabledâ€ person growing up in Vancouver, telling a touching story of alienation, neglect, and lost friendship. However, it was just as much a story of hope and a brighter future, not only for her but for everyone affected by issues of mental health.

Overall, the Liberated Transparency Salon was a refreshing reminder of the realities of the often-neglected topic of mental health and youth at risk in our society. We still have a very limited understanding of what it is like to be afflicted by mental diseases, and if history has taught us anything, itâ€™s that dialogue is an excellent way of getting to know each other.

Photo from www.sarahmjamieson.wordpress.com

About the Author: Justin Choi

Justin is in his second year at UBC. He enjoys listening to Korean rap, and when he isnâ€™t writing offensive articles on his blog, heâ€™s writing offensive articles for various magazines. He mainly procrastinates, but he occasionally finds time to participate in volunteer activities around the community. His favourite writers include Douglas Adams, Terry Pratchett, Mark Twain, Tom Stoppard, and Maddox.

Random

If there is only one word to describe Mary Leong, it may very well be "ardent." No, she is not an ardent follower, but rather, an ardent role model. Having a keen interest in politics, and currently pursuing a political science major, Mary organized a vote mob at UBC thisMay 2011 #2: Mary Leong

The Ruffled FeathersÂ re-released their debut self-titled EP in October 2010 under the new name ofÂ Lost Cities, which features six original songs by band membersÂ Charley Wu, Gina Loes, Andrew Lee, Sam McKinnonÂ andÂ Matty Jeronimo. I had the pleasure of interviewing the band on-air in January and you can read up on theLost Cities EP by The Ruffled Feathers

Meet November’s Youth of the Month – Taylor Hui; figure skater, actress, model, fundraiser, event planner and president of her high school student council at Fraser Heights Secondary, Taylor is a woman of many things, and being busy is definitely one of them. This twelfth grader oversees many school events includingNovember 2012: Taylor Hui

A trip to the Philippines in 2006 stunned a group of students from Holy Cross Secondary School (Surrey, BC) as they noticed the happiness of the people who had so little to be happy about, according to Western standards. This particular voyage across seas consisting of building homes in aBeneath One Sky

The concept of Online Education is undeniably attractive. Schooling from home, in theory, allows for people to complete courses on their own time, from accredited universities, while balancing other obligations that prevent commutes and in-person lectures from being practical. But is it time for Online Education to transcend this niche andAn Objective Look at Online Education

The Improv Test Kitchen is an exciting platform for new and innovative improvisational comedy. This show features the newest, hottest improv shows, presented by a rotating cast of mainstage company members. Improvisers bring show concepts they have developed to The Improv Centre stage, presenting them to you, an audience ofVancouver Theatresports League presents Improv Test Kitchen