Self-esteem is a crucial part of youth development. Initially instilled when young, a child’s self-esteem is fostered throughout growth by supportive adults and peers who relay frequent messages about positive body-image and self-worth.

The Mental Health Association Provides two different programs; Waukesha Teens On Line and Youth Peer Educators in which youth are able to learn about and demonstrate positive mental health. Youth Peer Educators allows youth to act out skits on relevant  mental health related topics. MHA also manages an online source, WOTL,  that contains valuable information selected by teens on issues such as self esteem, smoking, divorce, drinking, drugs, learning disabilities, and/or eating disorders.

Waukesha Teens On Line (WTOL)
WTOL is a website for Waukesha County youth ages 8 to 18 that connects teens to safe places within the Waukesha community. WTOL provides up to date and relevant information decided by teens on important issues, topics, and/or concerns our youth is currently dealing with. The website contains information for Waukesha Youth, including:

• Volunteer and Job Opportunities
• Calendar of Events
• Teen Issue of the Month
• Fun Links
• Shopping Information
• High School Sport Information
• Waukesha County Schools
• Homework Help
• Libraries
• College Resources

If you would like more information about WTOL or would like to contribute to the website, please contact the Mental Health Association in Waukesha County, Inc. at (262) 547-0769, or visit the web site at http://www.waukeshateens.org.

Youth Peer Educators
The Youth Peer Educators serves as  a group of Waukesha Youth who serve as positive role models and promote healthy choices to the youth of Waukesha County. The Youth Peer Educators are available to perform puppet shows and skit presentations for youth in grades K-12. MHA is always looking for volunteers as well as audiences to be a part of Youth Peer Educators.

Some titles of the Youth Peer Educator Presentations are:

• Sugar & Spice (K-2 appropriate) These puppet shows demonstrate positive behaviors that your students can follow. The plays help students identify their own feelings, as well as encourage empathy and introduce healthy problem-solving skills. There are 11 plays to choose from, focusing on a variety of issues, including: sharing, problem-solving, respecting others, acceptance of others, lying and cheating, fighting and swearing, self-esteem, name calling, and cultural diversity.

• The Dangers of Smoking! An interactive discussion lead by the Youth Peer Educators that explores the dangers of smoking.

• Movin' On Up! This presentation addresses the most common questions and fears that students experience when transitioning to middle school and high school, and helps reduce anxieties that students might feel.

The Youth Peer Educators now also offer the following skits for high school audiences:
• Suicide Prevention addresses the topic of suicide, and suicide prevention. The discussion afterwards examines coping skills, as well as ways to help someone who may be considering suicide.
• Self Image addresses common self-worth issues that youth feel, and provides ways for students to build self-esteem and self-worth.

How to Volunteer or Request a Presentation
To request a presentation at your school or organization, suggest a topic for new performances, or to volunteer to be part of a Youth Peer Educators group, contact MHA's Community Prevention Education office at (262) 547-0769 or email us at fd@mhawauk.org.