The onset of puberty is like suddenly being equipped with a new upgraded computer and no instructions. Learning how to manage it is invariably accompanied by mistakes and poor choices, which can be humiliating (and dangerous).
– Dr Ron Clavier, Toronto Psychologist

In an ever-changing, media-saturated world, many agree that it is harder than ever to be a young person. Growing up in the midst of a culture that promotes the message that only the wealthy, popular, and beautiful live successful and fulfilling lives, there is more pressure than ever on youth to conform to society’s quest for perfection.

Today, children as young as six or seven are facing issues such as body image disorders and confusion about touted quick fixes, sleep deprivation and its total body impact, depression, sense of isolation, and multiple other problems, which in the past, most experienced in their late teens. They don't know what is happening to their rapidly changing brain and body development, which often leads to these health problems. We feel it is unacceptable for youth to be experiencing these issues alone, often with an inadequate support system or lack of truthful knowledge.

In order to help youth make smarter health choices, CCMI created WYKD Wise Youth Know the Deal - an educational program designed to tackle nine contemporary 'tween health issues on physical, emotional, mental and spiritual levels. This fun and understandable cross-curricular materials, website and community seminar health project is geared toward students in grades 6 through 8, as well as their educators and parents. It packs over five years of review of current global research and many practical case studies into a program that will help dispel myths, give youth the knowledge to make positive decisions about their lives, and their parents/educators help to communicate effectively. An advisory board of experts in children-focused health issues will provide feedback for our content.

Health Canada reports that every $1 invested in classroom anti-issue programs saves almost $15 in healthcare and other costs. WYKD will help to strengthen national economies.

With substantial donations in the first year the project will be offered free to hundreds of thousands of students, educators and parents for testing purposes. In subsequent years funding will make it available at no cost to anyone in our target audiences across the country. We plan to license a producer for a television documentary and CD/DVD, which should reach millions of people.

WYKD was profiled at the Toronto Kids Nutrition Conference in March 2004.

For information about becoming a funder or for further project details, visit the Contact Us section of this website.