Conclusions 

The approach described in this paper has demonstrated how investing in youth mental health promotion at a community level resulted in mobilizing a community. The community in turn invested in these concepts, emotionally, financially and instrumentally. Youth and community members became involved in the identification of youth at risk and developed initiatives to decrease the risk status of others. It is indisputable that natural helpers exist in every community. The business community invested in mental health promotion efforts that may not have been supported otherwise. In this way, resources multiplied and a full continuum of services were developed and are being maintained. The desire to seek out and sustain collaborative partnerships mobilized the community and in the end it was the community who created the "teachable moments." 

Capacity building and mobilization naturally create optimism that communities share the ability to both challenge and address misconceptions about youth mental health and mental illness. The discovery of the community voice and the absolute conviction that youth are key to this process are benchmarks of a mental health promotion approach truly focused on youth. In the end, the impact of community capacity building goes well beyond youth mental health promotion. It will ultimately influence the next generation to create an inclusive society where those living with mental illness do not have to do so in silence. 

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