World Mental Health Day

Along with countless other individuals and organizations across the world, Shawnigan is recognizing World Mental Health Day on Oct. 10 with open dialogue, the sharing of important resources and a focus on mental well-being activities.

 

In Tuesday’s Chapel service, Headmaster Larry Lamont and Reverend Jim Holland both touched on the importance of the day in their addresses.

 

“Much of our messaging this term has been focused on supporting others, but it seems an appropriate time to remind all of us to take care of ourselves as individuals,” Mr. Lamont said. “Our staff—with special reference to our boarding team, health centre team and counsellors—give first rate support and Director of Student Life Matt Clinton-Baker continues to drive forward the Shawnigan Life Curriculum with a focus on education surrounding positive health and well-being.”

 

Mr. Lamont went on to talk about the importance to mental health of taking time away from online connectivity and social media, noting that there is value in the “less well-known philosophy of JOMO when it comes to social media: the ‘Joy of Missing Out’!” He encouraged any students who might find themselves struggling to reach out to someone in person and start a conversation about their feelings.

 

Shawnigan School Counsellor Erica Plater notes that this year’s World Mental Health Day theme of “Young people and mental health in a changing world” is particularly relevant in a school environment, and shares that being open and educating our young people about mental health is a critical step to helping them manage their own mental health actively and appropriately, both now and in the future.

 

“Current research tells us that only one out of five Canadian youth will reach out and get help for mental illness. With this concerning statistic in mind, it’s critical that we continue to help erase stigma within our community by talking openly about mental health issues and providing focused education on health and mental wellness to our students,” Mrs. Plater says. “By helping them develop tools to help manage stress and anxiety, we are equipping our young people to negotiate obstacles to good mental health before those obstacles can have a significant impact on their lives. Education is power, and the more education our students have in this area, the more power they will have to understand and successfully manage their own mental health.”