Creating Impactful Online Support Groups for Teens

This workshop is for all those who are dedicated to supporting teenagers through challenging times.
This workshop offers an in-depth exploration of the strategies and tools necessary to create engaging
and effective online support groups, providing teens with a safe space to share, connect, and grow.

Throughout this interactive session, participants will gain valuable insights and tools to design,
facilitate, and sustain online support groups that provide teens with a much-needed sense of
community and support. Through a blend of engaging activities, role reversals, and real-time
demonstrations, participants will understand how to foster a safe and supportive online environment,
maintain engagement, and handle common challenges effectively. By the end of the workshop,
participants will be equipped with the skills and confidence to foster meaningful connections and
support the emotional well-being of teens in an online setting.

This workshop is open to anyone interested in adolescents and teens including Mental Health
Professionals, Social Workers, Educators and School Counselors, Youth Group Leaders, Nonprofit
Organizations Staff and volunteers, Parents and Caregivers, and Community Leaders.

Participants will gain various valuable insights and skills, including:

Understanding the Importance and Need for Support Groups: Participants will learn about the
critical role support groups play in the lives of teens and the specific personal and social issues that
adolescents face today.

Practical Facilitation Skills: They will develop key facilitation skills, including active listening,
empathetic communication, and techniques for maintaining engagement and participation in an online
setting.

Creating a Safe Online Environment: Participants will learn how to establish and maintain a safe,
supportive, and inclusive online space where teens feel comfortable sharing and connecting.
Experience Through Role Reversal: By experiencing different online strategies and activities from a
teen's perspective, participants will gain deeper empathy and insight into how to effectively engage
adolescents.

Toolkits and Techniques for Engagement: They will be equipped with a variety of tools and
techniques to foster interaction and participation, such as the use of video, chat functions, breakout
rooms, and creative activities.

Crisis Management Skills: Participants will learn how to handle confidentiality, conflict, and crisis
situations in an online group setting, ensuring they can provide support effectively and safely.
Designing Effective Sessions: Through practical exercises and breakout sessions, participants will
learn how to design and structure online support group sessions tailored to the needs of specific teen
groups.

Real-World Application and Feedback: The demonstration of a mini online support group session
and subsequent discussions will provide practical experience and feedback, enhancing their
readiness to implement what they've learned.