Youth Empowerment Radio S3E4: Real Talk Mental Health Support Group at Oaktree Youth Resources

In Season 3, Episode 4 of Youth Empowerment Radio, interns Brooke and Berkeley from Oaktree Youth Resources describe Real Talk, a weekly mental health support group held every Tuesday from 4–5 PM. They explain that the group aims to provide a safe, supportive, consistent space where youth can share successes and challenges, seek advice, or simply connect without having to talk. The episode covers topics and activities used in meetings—such as trust, boundaries, sobriety, group-building games, and planned crafts—plus engagement strategies like hands-on activities, food, easy opening questions, and potential pro-social events. They discuss how supportive peer communities encourage accountability and healthier choices, barriers like not knowing where to find support and lack of trust, ways to create inclusive spaces through group norms and consent to share, and long-term benefits such as reduced isolation, increased confidence, goal achievement, and improved wellbeing.

00:00 Welcome and Introductions

00:45 What Real Talk Is

01:23 Meeting Activities and Topics

01:59 Keeping Youth Engaged

03:09 How the Group Is Going

03:54 Peer Support and Accountability

05:06 Barriers to Seeking Help

06:44 Creating Inclusive Safe Spaces

07:51 Long Term Mental Health Benefits

09:08 Thanks and Weekly Invite

So many mental health struggles grow stronger in isolation. Having a space—or even just one person—to turn to—can make all the difference in breaking that cycle.

Thank you to Brooke and Burkley at Oak Tree Resources for creating that space.

Join Real Talk every Tuesday from 4:00–5:00 PM. You don’t have to go through it alone.