“We are the anchor and the cure.”

 
 

Created by youth, for Youth, and CENTERing Mental Health & Wellness…

The Antidotes program empowers mentors and participants to make healthy choices and be the change, the light, wherever they may be.

Taking a grassroots approach to youth development & engagement, The Antidotes gives space for young people to create a sense of community with one another & advocate for more spaces that prioritize their current and future well-being. While promoting mindfulness and positive coping skills through edutainment, throughout this experience, both adult and youth mentors along with participants (+ families), will connect to new and existing resources that show the intersections of harm reduction, intervention, community safety, peer support, prevention, recovery, stress relief, and wellness through interactive community events and service-learning.

 

Program covers a variety of experiences & Topics:

Boundaries

Conflict Resolution

Consent

Emotional Intelligence

Fitness / Physical Health

HIV/STD/STI Awareness

Mental Health

Nutrition

Perception vs Reality

Signs of Healthy / Unhealthy Relationships

Substance Use Prevention

Self-Accountability & Goals

Stigma

Executive Director, Iisha Wesley with students from Purdue Polytech HS (2023)

Our Program

 

Drop In Hours + Peer Mentorship

Year-round digital check-ins on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 4:30pm-6:30pm. Some first Saturdays, 12pm-2pm, MRCI welcomes young people to drop in with The Antidotes for fun and relaxation. Third Saturdays, young people are welcome to join The Antidotes for a service project. Resumes Spring/Summer 2025.

Summer Program + Project: Nothing 2 Lose + Melanated Mindfulness

Applications for Cohort 3 open on March 1, 2025.

Transition Program: Living Legacy PRoject

Applications for the 2025-26 school year open on May 20, 2025.

 

Summer Programming takes place on Tuesdays, thursdays, & Saturdays From June - September.

Some sessions may be pre-recorded.

Program FAQs

Who can participate?

  • Young people ages 12-29 can apply to be matched with a mentor..

  • Young people ages 16-29 can apply to become a peer mentor.

    • Currently open to residents of the state of Indiana only.

What will participants do?

  • Educate and guide their peers regarding mental health and wellness through Peer Mentoring. 

When will programming take place?

  • The program meets on Tuesdays, Thursdays, & Saturdays from June to September annually. Times vary.

    • Summer: Team Building + Training

    • Fall: Application + Continued Education

    • Winter: Break + Virtual Check-ins

    • Spring: Follow Up + Preparation

Where will programming take place?

  • In the community (churches, community centers, schools, etc.) and virtually. This is a hybrid experience.

  • Our partnerships enable us to host our programming at two designated locations for the Summer.

How is this initiative funded? How is the program delivered?

  • B2B contracts, donations, and grants.

    • Received $200,000 in funding from IAAQLI in 2023 for two years.

  • The Antidotes research their own topics/ issues for discussion, facilitate workshops/groups for their peers, and create activities/opportunities to practice what is learned.

Why was this program created?

“Youth do not feel as if they are taught about mental health, mental sustainability, or how our mental health impacts our daily lives. We are not taught a lot in schools on this subject, and we are taking the opportunity to learn as we teach each other.” – Antidotes Member

 

This program is made possible through Community collaboration:

 
 
 

Over the last 4 years…