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AFM Youth Services: What you can expect from us

If you are thinking about giving us a call here are some things that you can expect from us.

Our programs are designed to help people look at their alcohol/drug/gambling involvement to see if it is affecting their life in a negative way. You will have the opportunity to meet counsellors who understand youth issues and the potential effects of alcohol, drugs or gambling on young people's lives. If you decide that your use/gambling is causing problems for you your counsellor can provide support and assistance in making positive changes. We also provide counselling and support to young people who are concerned about someone else's alcohol/drug/gambling involvement.

Youth in our programs can expect:

A safe place to ask questions and express your concerns:
We want you to feel comfortable being yourself, without the fear of being judged, criticized or lectured

Confidentiality:
This means that your counsellor will not share information about you without your permission. There are some exceptions to this:

If you disclose past or present physical or sexual abuse.
If you are thinking about harming yourself or someone else.
If you become involved in another AFM program.
If your file is subpoenaed to court.

To be treated with respect:
This means that we will listen and talk with you, not at you. You have the right to think what you think, feel what you feel and believe what you believe.

Openness:
Your counselor will not keep information about you from you. You will be involved in all decisions affecting you.

AFM Youth Programs:
If you have any questions or would like to talk to an AFM Counselor here is how you can reach us:
Community Based Services
School Based Services
Youth Residential Services (Compass)
Services for parents: Parents Intervention program
Youth Gambling Services

Community Based Services

In Winnipeg: Youth Community Based Services: We are located at 200 Osborne St North in Winnipeg. You can reach us by phone at (204) 944-6235. For more detailed information on this program click here. (bookmark below to Counselling & Assessments)

Outside of Winnipeg: If you are not from Winnipeg and do not have an AFM Counsellor in your school then you can see an AFM Counsellor in one of our community based offices. Check this list to find the office closest to you. For more detailed information on this program click here.

AFM Community Based Youth Services: Counselling and Assessments

Who are we?
AFM Community Based Youth Services provides services for young people from the ages of 12 to 18 who are either directly involved in problem alcohol, other drug or gambling behaviour or who are affected by someone else's involvement.

Our Program Goal:
The goal of our program is to reduce harm associated with alcohol, other drug use or gambling among Manitoba youth. Our programming is flexible. The extent of substance use or gambling involvement among youth varies. Interest in participating in programs or in making changes varies too. Some young people may choose to work on abstinence, while others may choose to change their use/involvement by reducing the harm. AFM Youth Services programming is based on the "Stages of Change Model". This model recognizes that change is a process that involves various stages of motivation or interest in changing. We respect these different needs in our programs.

Our Services:

Assessment: This may involve a number of individual or group sessions or a combination of both. The purpose of the assessment is to gather information that will help the counsellor and the young person set goals and make an action plan based on the young person's needs. This part of programming also often involves education on alcohol, other drugs and gambling.

Counselling: This may also involve several individual, group or family sessions or a combination of both. The counselling programs will vary across the province. The purpose of the counselling programs is to assist the young person in meeting their goals.

Referral: AFM counsellors can make referrals to other services within AFM or external services as needed in order to help clients meet their goals.

How to reach us:
In Winnipeg:
AFM Community Based Youth Services
200 Osborne Street North
Phone (204) 944-6235
Outside of Winnipeg:
Check our list of provincial offices to find the office closest to you.

School Based Services

AFM counsellors also provide counselling at several high schools in Manitoba.

Manitoba youth who use alcohol and other mood-altering drugs typically report starting use between the ages of 12-16.

Providing AFM Counselling services in schools reduces barriers to referral and treatment for students and allows for earlier intervention.

For a summary of the service offered in a specific location you are interested in, choose a school from themenu below.

Assessment
The purpose of the assessment is to gather information that will help the counsellor and the young person set goals and make an action plan based on the young person's needs. This may involve a number of individual or group sessions or a combination of both. This part of programming also often involves education on alcohol, other drugs and gambling.

Counselling Services
The purpose of the counselling programs is to assist the young person in meeting their goals. This may also involve several individual, group or family sessions or a combination of both. The counselling programs will vary across the province.

Referral
AFM counsellors can make referrals to other services within AFM or external services as needed in order to help clients meet their goals.

Student Assistance Programs
AFM counsellors partner and encourage schools to develop Student Assistance Programs (SAPs). SAPs are early intervention programs which are designed to help identify concerns and connect students with helping services. They are based on the belief that the earlier a concern is identified, the earlier an intervention can occur. Early intervention increases the likelihood that students will be successful in school.

AFM staff can provide training for any Manitoba school interested in developing a Student Assistance Program. Contact your local AFM Office for more information.

Prevention Education Services
School based staff deliver a variety of alcohol, drug and gambling information and awareness presentations to students, staff and parent groups.

Frequently Asked Questions

Question: I am a student at a school with an AFM counsellor and I have some worries about my use of alcohol or other drugs. How do I access your services?

Answer: You can arrange a confidential meeting by contacting the AFM counsellor in your school. If you are not sure how to do that you can ask your guidance counsellor. The AFM counsellor will explain the available services and work with you to decide on what is best for you.

Question: I'm worried that my child might be getting into trouble with drugs. What should I do?

Answer: The AFM counsellor in your child's school would be happy to talk with you on a confidential basis. They can provide information on alcohol and other drugs and they can assist you in developing an appropriate intervention strategy.

Question: I'm a student in a school where there is an AFM counsellor. My best friend has changed a lot lately and seems to have lost interest in things we used to do since he/she started smoking pot. Is there anything I can do?

Answer: This is a tough spot to be in. You can contact the AFM counsellor in your school to talk about your concerns. It's up to you whether or not you want to tell the counsellor your friend's name. The counsellor can help you think through the issues and provide you with information to help you make the right decision for you and your friend.

Question: Lately I have been worrying a lot about dad/mom because he/she has been drinking a lot. Sometimes I even think I am responsible for him/her drinking so much. Is the AFM counsellor able to talk to me without my parents knowing?

Answer: You are not responsible for your parents drinking, but the feelings you are experiencing are very common for young people who are growing up in a home affected by alcohol, other drugs and problem gambling. It is very important to have a place where you can talk openly and get support. AFM counsellors can provide that.

It is not necessary for your family to be aware of your involvement with an AFM school based counsellor. To learn more about alcohol, drugs or gambling problems and how to take care of yourself, contact your local AFM counsellor at your school.

Manitoba Schools with AFM School Based Services

AFM - Winnipeg Region

Evergreen School Division
Arborg Collegiate
Gimli High School
Riverton Collegiate

Interlake School Division
Stonewall Collegiate
Teulon Collegiate
Warren Collegiate

Sunrise School Division
Edward Schreyer School
Lac Du Bonnet Senior School
Powerview School

Prairie Rose School Division
Carman Collegiate

Portage la Prairie School Division
Portage Collegiate Institute
Portage la Prairie S.D. Junior High Schools

River East Transcona School Division
Miles Macdonell Collegiate
River East Collegiate
Transcona Collegiate
Murdoch Mackay Collegiate
Kildonan-East Collegiate

Pembina Trails School Division
Oak Park High School
Shaftesbury High School
Vincent Massey Collegiate
Fort Richmond Collegiate

St. James - Assiniboia School Division
Westwood Collegiate
John Taylor Collegiate
St. James Collegiate
College Sturgeon Heights Collegiate

Lord Selkirk School Division
Lord Selkirk Regional Secondary School

Selkirk Youth Counsellor - community office

Western School Division
Morden Collegiate

Winnipeg School Division
R.B. Russel Vocational School

AFM - Western Region

Brandon School Division
Crocus Plains Regional Secondary School
Neelin High School
Vincent Massey High School

Southwest Horizon School Division
Souris School
Melita School

Turtle Mountain School Division
Killarney School
Boissevain School

Beautiful Plains School Division
Carberry Collegiate
Neepawa Area Collegiate

Mountain View School Division
Dauphin Regional Comp Secondary
Grandview School
Gilbert Plains Collegiate
Goose Lake High School
Winnipegosis Collegiate
Ethelbert School

Frontier School Division
Rorketon School

Swan Valley School Division
Swan Valley Regional Secondary School

Turtle River School Division
Ste. Rose School

AFM - Northern Region

Mystery Lake School District
R.D. Parker Collegiate

Flin Flon School Division
Hapnot Collegiate
Many Faces Education Centre

Kelsey School Division
Margaret Barbour Collegiate Institute

Frontier School Division
Frontier Collegiate Institute

Compass Residential Youth Program

The Compass Residential Youth Program is an eight-week program for adolescents 13-17 years old who are experiencing significant problems with their use of alcohol or other drugs. A comfortable residential setting, Compass offers young people a full range of programming often not available to them in their home communities, and a group of caring staff who recognize the strengths young people have and their potential to succeed. The facility is located in Southport, four kilometres south of Portage la Prairie, Manitoba.

Click here to view pictures of our facility and amenities available.

Phone: (204) 428-6600
Fax: (204) 428-6611
Email: youthres@afm.mb.ca

Mission
To help our clients live, discover, and experience the hope and tools necessary to live well without dependence on alcohol or other drugs.

For more information:

Services for Parents: Parent Intervention Program

Parents Intervention Program
This program is designed for parents and caregivers who are concerned about their child's use of alcohol and other drugs or gambling. Through the Parents Intervention Program, participants will be provided with:

Information about our programs and how your child may benefit
Information about the signs of harmful alcohol and drug involvement, and problem gambling
Suggestions for dealing with alcohol and drug-related behaviour and its effects on the family
An introduction to a community support group

Parents are not responsible for their child's alcohol and drug use or gambling problems, but they are one of the most important influences in their child's life. The guidelines offered to parents through this program will assist them in supporting their child, while helping to establish a more manageable living environment.

To find out more about this program contact your local AFM office.

Youth Gambling Services

The definition of gambling used by the Addictions Foundation of Manitoba (AFM) is: any gaming behaviour involving the risking of money or valuables on the outcome of a game, contest or other event. The outcome of the activity is partially or totally dependent upon chance.

AFM is involved in :