Our Programs

We offer a variety of programs to both elementary and high school populations. Our mental health literacy curriculums follow a primary prevention health model, which aims to support populations of youth that are not generally at risk (secondary prevention), or suffering from mental illness (tertiary prevention). Rather, we provide all grade students with access to age appropriate lessons under the umbrella of social-emotional learning and mental health literacy. It is our belief that early education and opportunities for interpersonal connection are the greatest prevention tool against the development of maladaptive behaviours and negative mental health outcomes.

APPLICATION OF INTEREST
What we offer

56

Locations

300,000

Apples Annually

+75,000

Students Impacted Annually

The Apple Program

At the “core” of our foundation is the Apple Program, operating in over 50 locations across the Lower Mainland. Apple Bowls are filled daily and students are encouraged to “take two” – one for themselves, and one for a friend, and share a healthy snack and  a healthy conversation. This simple concept facilitates face-to-face connection in a tech-driven world where youth are more disconnected than ever. According to psychiatrist and Adam’s Apples Board Member Dr. Muffy Greenaway, “although it may seem simple, the impact of one apple, leading to one connection, can be a turning point for one student who is struggling”.

Sponsor A SCHOOL
What we offer

8

Modules

25

High School Communities

10-12

Available to grades

The Core Connector Initiative

What is the Core Connector Initiative (CCI)?

This module-based curriculum is designed as an experiential approach to understanding mental health, addressing mental health challenges, promoting mental wellbeing and encouraging peer support. The program is facilitated by mental health professionals.

How long is the program?

The workshop is designed to be delivered over nine hours. We can offer the CCI as a two day program (2 x 4.5 hour sessions) or a three day program (3 x 3 hour sessions), or we can offer an abbreviated one day program (1 x 4 hour session). At the end of the workshop, participants will receive a Mental Health Literacy Certificate. Additionally, five (5) $500 scholarships are available each year to CCI participants.

How much does it cost?

The CCI is offered free of charge. We encourage organizations to make a donation to the AAF.

Who is the CCI for?

The CCI is designed for students in grades 10-12 who are interested in learning the tools to thrive as a compassionate leader,  an advocate for mental health, and catalyst for positive change in their school communities.

APPLICATION OF INTEREST
Listening and Being Listened To
“Caring and being cared for are unlocked when we listen with empathy and compassion.”
Calming Your Whole Self
“The great thing is to make our nervous system our ally instead of our enemy.” -William James
Navigating Our Worried World
“It is no measure of health to be well adjusted to a sick society.”
-Jiddhu Krishnamurti
Taking Care of You
“The real difficulty is to overcome how you think about yourself. “ -Maya Angelou
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Finding Light in Our Despairing World
“Depression is a normal response to abnormal life experiences.”
-Allen Barbour
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Turning Away From Our Addicting World
“All addiction begins and ends in pain.” -Gabor Mate
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How You Think Matters
“Excellence is a habit; we are what we repeatedly do.” -Aristotle
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Making Better Happen
“The curious paradox is that when I accept myself just as I am, then I can change.” -Carl Rogers
“What do we live for except to make life less difficult for others.” -George Eliot
Scholarship

The Core Connector Initiative Scholarship

Adam's Apples Core Connector Initiative (CCI) graduates have demonstrated a commitment to being compassionate, active advocates for mental wellbeing and leaders in supporting others. Engagement in school communities makes a difference and we hope the skills and tools learned in CCI will assist participants to help create lasting positive changes.

Adam's Apples Foundation awards five (5) $500 scholarships annually to deserving CCI graduates who are planning to pursue post-secondary education. If you have taken the Core Connector Initiative, we invite you to apply no sooner than three months after your completion of the CCI program. We want you to use those three months to reflect on what you have learned through the CCI and also to apply that learning in your own life, in your interactions with others, and in initiatives that you have begun which promote wellbeing in your community.

When you are ready, we welcome your application.

apply today
Active Listening, Friendships, and Family
Learning objectives:
  • Understand the key attributes of healthy and unhealthy relationships
  • Develop conflict resolution skills
  • Create assertiveness skills and healthy boundaries
  • Incorporate effective listening skills such as attending, paraphrasing, and awareness of non-verbal cues
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Stress, Social Media, Body Image, and Screen Use
Learning objectives:
  • Learn the bio-psycho-social model of mental health, the fight or flight response, and the impact of stress on the mind and body
  • Introduce effective habits to combat stress
  • Understand the relationship between stress and social media
  • Discuss the consequences of social media such as addictive tendencies and body image consequences
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Anxiety and Depression
Learning objectives:
  • Understand the difference between everyday emotional responses and anxiety or depressive disorders
  • Review the Diagnostic Criteria for anxiety and depression
  • Discuss how anxiety and depression feel and function
  • Incorporate skills for helping ourselves and others with anxiety and/or depression
  • Provide resources for additional support
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Addiction
Learning objectives:
  • Discuss the teenage brain and addiction
  • Learn the behavioural, physical, and psychological warning signs of addiction
  • Provide resources for additional support
Suicidal Ideation and Intervention
Learning objectives:
  • Learn important terminology for self harm and suicide
  • Discuss facts and myths about suicide
  • Learn the ACT method
  • Provide resources for additional support
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Positive Mental Health & Resilience
Learning objectives:
  • Reflect on moments of resiliency
  • Discuss cultural and socioeconomic factors of wellbeing and resilience
  • Learn positive psychology
  • Reflect upon what has been learned
  • Encourage students to stay connected through volunteering opportunities with Adam’s Apples and our Youth Council
What we offer

2021

Year of Creation

12

Modules

K-7

Available to grades

Seedlings Initiative

The Seedlings Initiative is a Social-Emotional-Learning program developed for elementary level students. The program was developed in 2021 by psychologists, psychiatrists, teachers, and students in response to the social-emotional consequences of  the Covid-19 pandemic. The program is an adaptation of the CASEL Framework, condensed into 20 minute homeroom sessions on topics under the umbrella of self awareness, social responsibility, and executive functioning.

APPLICATION OF INTEREST
Adam's Apple Foundation Logo Seedlings Initiative
Adam's Apple Foundation Logo Seedlings Initiative
Self
Awareness

Self-awareness is guided by introspective practices of self-appreciation, emotion recognition, and managing emotions.

Executive
Functioning
Adam's Apple Foundation Logo Seedlings Initiative
Adam's Apple Foundation Logo Seedlings Initiative
Social
Responsibility
Growth Mindset
Self-Love
Gratitude
Emotion Recognition & Self-Regulation
Mental & Physical Well-being
Resilience
Decision Making
Goal Setting
Empathy &
Compassion
Kindness & Positive
Relationship
Sense of Belonging
Community Kindness