Helping youth connect for positive client outcomes
We’ve created a safe social platform for youth living with medical conditions and other stressful life challenges to connect to others with similar medical challenges as they navigate their journeys. Powered by TELUS, we’re a safe and private peer support network with many therapeutic and social benefits to help improve patient outcomes for youth that are 10 to 18. As care moves toward an outpatient approach, Upopolis offers ongoing psychosocial care beyond a youth’s local community and access to a team of child life specialists who provide support before, during, and after treatment or other programs.
Helping your clients
The first thing you need to know about access to Upopolis is that we care about safety above everything. For this reason, youth need a referral from you, their medical professional or program leader, in order to create a profile on our platform. But don’t worry, we’ve made it easy. We will provide your team with resources, education, training, and support to help you get set-up to make youth referrals for your clients.
Look at what Upopolis provides
Once they have access, youth can start using UKnow, a medical library and other resources that are age-appropriate, diagnosis, condition or situation specific content that’s been verified by Certified Child Life Specialists. They can talk to peers, mentors, and professionals to prepare for upcoming tests, procedures and situations, alleviating their fears and anxieties through empowerment and education. Our platform encourages youth to get involved in their own care and coping by joining diagnosis and situation related discussions, all under the supervision of professionals who are actively monitoring the site. Youth are also invited to express themselves creatively by blogging, posting photos, and by joining “groups” based on their interests and condition or challenge. This helps alleviate the social isolation that often accompanies life challenges. The UPal and UMentor programs on Upopolis also enhance their leadership skills and earn them mandatory high school volunteer hours that may otherwise not be possible due to illness, hospitalization, family situation or activity restrictions.