Yes, most definitely.
I've spoken in over 100 schools. I talk to youth and share my story of overcoming immense challenges throughout my life, and the variety of services that helped me get to where I am today. You know, as a person who understands and talks about the struggles I had as a youth, as well.... It's very relatable to youth. I've had many testimonies from mayors, towns, school principals, liaisons, counsellors and police. It's been very overwhelming.
Recently, I did a talk at Hugh Boyd Secondary School. Youth come up to me after every talk. They're usually in tears. A few of them are really struggling. They feel so much stigma and shame because they don't have the ability or capacity to reach out. They feel judged for how they're living their life. The next day, the principal emailed me saying the whole counsellor's office was packed with students reaching out and saying that Guy Felicella has a way of making reaching out sound cool. I just try to inspire youth not to go down the same path I did. However, if they do, I want them to know there are people like me and others who are in the community. There are services. We care and want to support them.
I think it's very important for us to continue to give youth the realities of the current crisis we're dealing with today, so they can move forward with their lives.