This year marks the first anniversary of the Brief Conversations Toolkit, a valuable resource developed in collaboration with Ontario Public Health Units and the Lung Health Foundation. Designed to address the youth vaping epidemic in Canada, the toolkit aids to support individuals who work with or care about youth – such as educators, school staff, coaches, youth workers, and parents. The toolkit strives to make room for engagement in meaningful, impactful conversations about quitting vaping while breaking things down into bite-sized lessons.
As we reflect on the toolkit’s 1st birthday and its journey over the past year, we celebrate its growing impact among youth, pushing for individuals to make informed decisions about their health and overall well-being.
Who is the Brief Conversations Toolkit for, you might ask?
The Brief Conversations Toolkit is a simple, yet powerful resource aimed at giving allies the confidence to talk to youth about quitting vaping. Whether you’re a parent, teacher, coach, or community leader, this toolkit is designed for anyone who interacts with youth. It offers you the necessary tools to start a conversation that could make a huge difference in a young person’s life, with worksheets, conversation starters, and tips for keeping your cool.
Why use Brief Conversations?
The toolkit is based on a behavior change concept called Brief Contact Interventions (BCI), which focuses on having short, non-judgmental, and safe conversations that spark change. The goal is to encourage youth to think about quitting vaping in such a way that feels empowering and most importantly, natural. Rather than overwhelming them with information, these brief interventions focus on creating a real connection and planting powerful seeds for change.
Reintroducing ASK and ACT…
- ASK: Approach the conversation in a non-judgmental way. Ask open-ended questions that invite youth to talk about their experiences with vaping.
- ACT: If the individual is open to change, provide them with resources to help them quit. If they’re not ready to change, let them know that support is accessible whenever they’re ready. The idea here is to make them feel heard and supported, regardless of where they are on their journey – every journey is different.
Looking Ahead
As we celebrate the toolkit’s 1st anniversary, we’re excited about the continued strong impact it will have in the years to come. This year has proven that brief, compassionate conversations can lead to meaningful change, and we feel committed to supporting individuals and communities in their efforts to reduce youth vaping.
Thank you for supporting the next generation’s health and well-being. Together, we can make a big difference.
Ready to get a head start on your own brief conversation? Explore the Brief Conversations Toolkit today!