With its partnership with WeBeWell, a Utah-based mental health organization, Live Like Sam is extending its educational reach through the THRIVE Program, a six-week, evidence-based (certified through the state of Utah) life skills program for middle and high school students in Summit and Wasatch counties. The fall session will run from Oct. 28 through Dec. 13, and the registration deadline is Monday, Oct. 21. “It’s a labor intensive program on our side,” said Ron Jackenthal, founder and executive director of Live Like Sam. “It costs us $500 per student. And we’re fortunate enough that with the generosity of our donors and our grantors, we’re able to scholarship so far 100% of all the students that participate.”In addition to the zero cost of participation for the program, students who complete the course receive a $60 research stipend. Jackenthal said that THRIVE is “all about creating more resilient youth, giving them the tools and resources to be able to handle life as it comes at them.”Research by the University of Utah’s Institutional Review Board Department has found that past sessions of the program have shown a 21% decrease in symptoms of depression, 25% decrease in symptoms of anxiety, 5% increase in quality of life and 7% increase in resilience in its participating youth. “With winter being right around the corner, this is a great program to set youth up with tools to face those winter blues,” said Jessica Parker, program director with Live Like Sam, “get through the shorter days and have healthy skills to get through that seasonal depression.”During the six-week duration of the THRIVE program, hour-long Zoom meetings are held once a week. The program is fully online with the idea of making it easier to access and fit into busy schedules. The structure of the meetings involves students learning about a well-being topic, followed by prompts throughout the week to practice the skills they’ve learned. They’re also encouraged to reflect on their experiences. In the following meeting, they share their reflections and discuss their progress together. This “learn, practice, reflect” cycle repeats each week, said Parker.“Not only do the kids get a very well-thought-out, evidence-based program, it’s also a peer-based program, so kids get to interact with eight to 10 peers of their own age, which is where a lot of the learning comes from,” said Jackenthal. “A lot of the learning really comes from not only learning about their own experiences, but … hearing that they’re not the only ones dealing with the things that are on their mind, so are all of their peers.”“I would describe the THRIVE experience as eye-opening,” said Jessica Loya, a past participant. “I was introduced to so many topics that I was unaware of and learned that they have a significant impact on my well-being.”“I would say that the difference before and after THRIVE is that now I understand how to deal with certain problems and overall,” said Jessica Juarez, another participant. “I am much happier because I am able to apply the knowledge that I got from this program to my everyday life.”To learn more about THRIVE, join the mailing list or enroll in the upcoming session, visit their website livelikesam.org/thrive.You can also stay up to date with the Live Like Sam foundation by following their Instagram account @livelikesamfoundation. Live Like Sam program overviewThe post Local nonprofit program helps youth THRIVE appeared first on Park Record.