Tree House Youth Theatre launching mental health program in Red Deer

Tree House Youth Theatre will launch "Thrive" in February, a free 12-week theatre-based mental health program for 13–17-year-olds in Red Deer that draws on the Red Deer Primary Care Network curricula and is funded by a City of Red Deer grant.

Tree House Youth Theatre is launching a new program called "Thrive" to support the mental health of teenagers living in Red Deer and Central Alberta. The program is set to begin in February and is free to attend. It is aimed at youths aged 13 to 17 and blends theatre activities with mental-health-focused exercises. Skilled facilitators will lead sessions and mental health professionals will provide support. Program details: - "Thrive" is a free, 12-week program for participants aged 13–17. - Sessions use theatre games, exercises, scene work, improvisation, role-playing and storytelling to teach coping skills for anxiety and depression. - The curriculum is built from the Red Deer Primary Care Network's Anxiety to Calm and Pathways to Happiness programs. - Activities are guided by facilitators and supported by mental health professionals. - In the final weeks, participants will design and deliver theatre-based mental health workshops for elementary students. - The program is funded through a City of Red Deer Community Culture Development Fund grant; terms run September–January and February–June, with up to 30 participants per term. Summary: Organizers describe the program as intended to build coping skills, promote emotional regulation and reduce stigma by combining theatre practice with researched mental health curricula. Thrive is scheduled to begin in February, with recurring terms and a stated capacity of up to 30 participants per term.