At Youth Speak Edmonton, a main focal point for us is confidentiality.

We are almost entirely confidential and believe that trust is necessary in any conversation. We have signed an Oath of Confidentiality to ensure your safety. 

 

We all follow the idea that when we are entrusted with personal stories, a bond is formed and it is a bond we do not break unless absolutely necessary.

Now, you're probably wondering about the "absolutely necessary", so we will explain this further. According to the Child Welfare Act, we are obligated by law to report abuse of any kind that is happening in the present, or is likely to happen in the near future. We are also required to report of cases where social, physical and emotional needs are strongly disturbed (i.e. abandonment).

 

We may also break confidentiality in the event of suicide attempts or serious threats. Youth Speak Edmonton policy states that one must be a danger to one's self or others to take action on the issue. The policy explains that simply having a mental illness can't get one admitted into hospital, but more rather exhibiting dangerous behavior with no alternative presented is where the line is drawn (that is to be based upon our team discretion). 

 

We at Youth Speak Edmonton are not mental health professionals. We are rather experienced individuals who dedicate our lives to helping people cope with emotional and mental health illnesses by listening and understanding. We cannot diagnose or 'cure' mental health struggles, and so we follow the provincial laws regarding mental health. This will ensure maximum protection and safety for those involved with Youth Speak Edmonton and in our community. This has been done by doing an intensive interview process, signing of the Confidentiality Oath, volunteer contract, as well as an intensive training process made by Youth Speak Edmonton with resources and our prior knowledge. This training is a two-day course, with topics consisting of crisis intervention/prevention, risk assessment, suicide intervention/prevention and aftermath training, as well as multiple other topics that our team will face while working in our society.