Build,
Connect,
Inspire
Upopolis: Empowering youth navigating stressful life events
Upopolis: Empowering youth navigating stressful life events
WE MAKE SAFETY OUR NUMBER ONE PRIORITY
Upopolis users must be referred by a professional or participate in a Common Ground event with the Upopolis team. The only adults who have access to Upopolis are professionals who are trained to work with and engage with youth patients.
Youth users are never anonymous, they are identified using their real first name, must sign a pledge of responsibility, and only after being verified can they join the platform. This increases accountability for behavior on the site. Upopolis users range from 13 to 23 years old. We are always aware of all of the content and user activity on the site. Upopolis has a safety reporting function for every post and photo. Content that is reported immediately disappears from the site and is then reviewed by administrators.
Six things Upopolis offers youth to help them build, connect, and inspire.
Peer support within a secure online community from other youth with lived experience. (more info) Upopolis offers communities for youth living with medical diagnoses/ conditions with 27+ diagnosis-specific groups within this community and three islands that offer a community for siblings, the youth of adult patients, and youth navigating grief.
Upopolis offers two volunteer roles for youth and young adults with lived experience. (more info). Two volunteer roles are the Upals and Umentors. Upals are youth within the community ages 13-23 who are keen to welcome new users and get involved in co-leading projects. Umentors are young adults with lived experiences who co-facilitate the Common Grounds and Camp programs with a member of the Upopolis team.
The Upopolsi team is made up of 8 Certified Child Life Specialists (CCLS) from Coast to Coast, experts in supporting youth navigating stressful life events such as diagnosis and grief. (more info). The CCLS team vets resources develops programming, and has a presence within the community for ongoing support.
Upopolis users get access to trusted, age-appropriate medical information that is created, written, or reviewed by experienced healthcare professionals with knowledge in youth development.
Control and Independence- As members of the Upopolis community youth have access to a curated medical library just for youth, invitations to participate in project work and volunteer roles as they wish, and where and when it works for them(it’s all virtual). Teens decide on their level of involvement.
As members of the Upopolis community youth have access to a curated medical library just for youth, invitations to participate in project work and volunteer roles as they wish, and where and when it works for them(it’s all virtual). Teens decide on their level of involvement.
The Upopolis team knows that youth need a healthy balance between navigating stressful life events and just being a youth. This is why regular programming includes games nights and some groups led by teens with special interests e.g. Sports or Art.
Check out the collateral and resources Upopolis offers to help you share about the programs and its benefits. All files are downloadable allowing you to print or share electronically with patients, families, and in units, clinics, or organizations.
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Do you know a youth 13-23 who could benefit from peer support? Refer them to our community using the link below.
The best way to get to know how great the Upopolis platform is, is to hear first-hand experience. Here’s a brief selection of what youth and partners have to say about Upopolis.
I joined Upopolis when I was a young 12-year-old trying to navigate being an arthritis newbie. I didn’t know many people my age who were chronically ill or had as many hospital visits as I did. Upopolis was a safe secure platform where I could connect with other extraordinary youth just like me.
Having these friendships and this amazing safe and fun environment was key to maintaining good mental health throughout the pandemic and continuing to push through. Upopolis has also given me more leadership skills and has taught me more about myself. By being a U-pal and participating in the activities on Upopolis I have learned how to be a better version of myself and I have a better positive outlook on who I am as a person. Upopolis showed me all the great things that make up me and to be confident in myself and to accept who I am.
Upopolis is a place where you can talk to people about something if you have a chronic or terminal illness, or if you are grieving a lost loved one. It is a safe space where you can learn about your condition, and meet many great people along the way.
Joining Upopolis completely changed this for me because I was always able to find someone to talk to who could relate with me and who had gone through the same things. This helped me feel less lonely and more positive about my situation. Also, I’m able to express myself without feeling judged which in turn helps boost my self-esteem and has also helped me get over my shyness…
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