Speak Up!

The following poems, ballads, videos, music etc are real stories from people who have had stigma, mental illness or addictions directly impact their lives. Thank you to all of those who have spoke out and shared their journey with us:

In hopes of encouraging youth to recognize that they are not alone, the Barrie Youth Leaders created a video to share one Leader’s personal journey of “sorrow, denial, regret and then light”. They believe that all youth have a story and that though this is just one young person’s journey, it is one that everyone can connect with.
Play video file

I Never Thought I’d Go This Far

Trying to escape
Trying to hide
I lost myself
To my wreck less side

 I ran and ran
Tried hard not to admit it
Knowing I’d face
The truth any minute

Time  keeps going by
And the nights filled with lies
Unexpected, unpredictable
I see it in my eyes

I turned quickly
hoping not to see
the ugly reflection
that turned into me

 I tried to avoid it
And pretend it wasn’t true
I knew all along
And so did you

 You didn’t stop me
When you could
You’re the only person
That ever would

 Moving on
Forgetting the past
I never thought
It would last

By: Leslie, Youth leader in Midland

I Lost Myself To drugs
All I wanted was to fit in
But I didn’t, maybe it was my looks or colour of skin
All I wanted was a friend
But I followed the wrong trend
All I wanted was some more fun
But now I’m on the run
Nothing but black top under my feet
While I live on and wander the streets
How did I get here so far from home?
With nothing to call my own
I sell my soul to make a buck
I don’t care about pressing my luck
They wanted fun with drugs and booze
But I’m the on with everything to loose
Drugs and booze took over my life
That’s why I took up over my life

Crime, punishment and death
Is what I face while doing meth
It doesn’t take long before you’re hooked
Locked in cuffs while being booked
Staring at nothing but steel bars
While your soul fights with the scars
Not a friendly face to be found
While I pick my bloody self off the ground
Jail is not a good place to be
When you’re fifteen, I see
Now if I can only find a sign
I know that I can shine
And find myself once more
To battle my interior war
Find the help I need before it’s too late
And find myself at heaven’s gate
By Aleccia

INNOCENT by the students at Nantyr Shores Secondary School http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hScb6xL924g

STUPID GAMES by Duncan Ivany (Alliston Youth Leader)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ora8KHVbYkw