Students at a Ramara Township school are looking out for one another’s mental health.
The student mental health team at Brechin Public School organized a wellness fair Wednesday afternoon, giving their peers an opportunity to learn about a variety of topics important to their mental and physical well-being.
“A lot of students suffer from mental health concerns, so we want them to feel comfortable talking about it,” said teacher Janet Copp, who helped the students organize the event.
Every 10 minutes, students went to a new station. Each stop had a different focus: technology and the law, concussions, diabetes, asthma, Sabrina’s Law, and a restorative circle.
During the restorative circle, students tossed a ball to one another. Wherever their fingers landed when they caught it was a different question or message.
“Share one thing that made you smile this week,” one boy read after catching the ball. His answer: “Me.”
“I learned a lot about others in the restorative circle,” said Kyla Howells, 10.
She was thankful to her fellow students for organizing the event.
“It’s really good that they’re doing this. There are people with mental health problems, so it’s good to be aware. I’m learning a lot,” she said.
Alana Avison took on a leadership role for the afternoon’s activities. She and three fellow students had some training from the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit before presenting information about concussions.
“It’s proving that no matter your age, you can know a lot about it,” said Avison, 13. “Students need to have a knowledge and awareness of the different aspects of (mental health).”
And, there are many. That’s why it was important to incorporate more of a focus this year on physical health, said Copp.
“We are not healthy if all of us isn’t healthy — our mind and body,” she said.
It’s important for students to take the lead on the wellness afternoon, Copp said, because “it helps them develop their leadership skills and confidence in themselves.”
The school has received bronze and gold ratings from Ophea (Ontario Physical and Health Education Association) in the past, and it is hoping for gold again after Wednesday’s event.
