Youth Readiness Intervention (YRI)

The Youth Readiness Intervention (YRI) is a group-based trauma-informed mental health program that readies youth for life opportunities by addressing their mental health and psychosocial support needs. Through an emphasis on goal setting, healthy coping mechanisms, problem-solving, and interpersonal skills, the YRI addresses several skills and behaviours involved in the prevention of risk behaviours, such as substance abuse, and the promotion of employment readiness.

The YRI consists of 12 modules delivered through group-based sessions to non-specialists. Each module includes elements from Cognitive-behavioural Therapy and Group Interpersonal Therapy, moving youth through three key phases: stabilization, integration, and connection. A key component of the program is its emphasis on setting SMART goals, which helps participants determine feasible objectives, develop coping strategies for trauma and emotional distress (which often drives substance abuse), and learn problem-solving skills, allowing them to evaluate potential solutions to their issues and choose the least harmful options. The modules were developed by a collaborative team of mental health and youth development experts, including the Boston College Research Program on Children and Adversity (RPCA) and Caritas Freetown (Caritas).

With Transition-to-Scale funding, Caritas Freetown seeks to adapt the YRI to enhance messaging on kush and other substances and test its impact on substance use prevention outcomes. Moreover, they seek to validate the viability of scaling the YRI through partnerships with the public sector and youth employment programs.