The solution to the mental health crisis starts with
prevention
50 %
of people experience
mental health diagnoses
at some point in life
20 %
of young people have considered
suicide
17 %
of people struggle with a
substance use disorder
mental health diagnoses
20 to 25 %
affect
of young people
8.4 %
of people
substance abuse
experience
and
mental health diagnoses
Our experiential positive youth development program
A 12-week adventure-based psychoeducational prevention program, informed by research, to support young people ages 12-17 in Portland, Oregon who are experiencing increased levels of risk of substance use, mental illness, and other behavioral health challenges.
Community-centered therapeutic coaching develops essential skills, encourages active lifestyle choices, and builds positive peer groups and a network of community support.
Adventure-based prevention
Mastery
Success
Resilience
Resilience is the capacity of a child or a child’s family to successfully adapt to challenges that may threaten or inhibit the child’s development or the family’s functioning (Masten, 2014).
Success and mastery are opportunities to practice resilience in action. These are opportunities for our youth to be guided through challenges in which they can find and celebrate successful outcomes while working together with their peers in safe environments that are facilitated by adult staff.
By developing these skills in supported environments at Wild Hearts, our participants develop resilience and become prepared to overcome many of the real world challenges that young people face today.
Mental health literacy & skills
Participants will have ongoing practice and reinforcement of essential skills and knowledge in a safe, relatable, supportive group of their peers.
Knowledge of mental illness
Stigma reduction
Coping
Social support
Help seeking
Outdoor group sessions
Sessions are organized around therapeutic activities that have been demonstrated to support psychological development and wellness.
hiking
mindfulness
yoga
group challenges
In your community
Sessions take place close to home, in association with neighborhood schools, Portland city parks and nearby trail systems, and local non profit and community organizations.
Now accepting applications for 2025
✦
Now accepting applications for 2025 ✦
We are now accepting referrals to Wild Hearts for young people ages 12-17 in the greater Portland, Oregon community. Participants will need adult transportation to and from the sessions, which will meet at various Portland-area locations every week.
We strongly encourage parents/guardians to participate in the first and last meeting of each 12-week session.