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HomeNewsChippewa Secondary School students shine light on mental health

Chippewa Secondary School students shine light on mental health

 A student-led campaign with a focus on combatting mental health issues has been benefitting Chippewa Secondary School Students

The initiative is being led by Chippewa International Baccalaureate (IB) students who must complete a leadership service project to complete the Creativity, Activity and Service (CAS) component of the full IB program. Andrea Forster, Emmanuel Nkebemiso, Muhhammad Ali Hakim, and Jayda Phillipson have planned a month-long series of events including social media take-over giving quotes, tips, and goals, green shirt day, a fundraiser for Child and Adolescent Mental Health Unit, and a pre-recorded question and answer with some local professionals. 

Those area professionals included Dr. Madden and Krysta Turgeon, Clinical Nurse Educator from NBRHC and Near North District School Board, and Mental Health Lead Sue Lessard. 

One of the student organizers, Andrea Forster, believes the student body has been benefitting from the groups’ hard work. 

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“I think the students have been appreciating getting professional advice. They feel safe with the response they’re given. Our peers have given us positive feedback, and teachers are coming up to us saying they liked it as well. Teachers have said how great the resources have been,” she said.

Jayda Phillipson says with the stress of both the pandemic and the octomester, she knows a lot of peers are overwhelmed with studies both throughout the day and into the evening. 

“Students may not be taking the time for themselves that they need to recharge or to take a break,” said Phillipson. “We have a lot of peers going through mental health issues. So if they can access these resources, recognize what they’re going through and realize that we’re going through this together not only in North Bay but all over the world, I think it’s something that we need.”

 Colleen Point, Guidance Counsellor at the school says its been amazing to see young people embrace the realities of mental health, and banding together to erase the stigma.

“It’s an important conversation to have. From a guidance counsellor’s viewpoint, making it normal to talk about it and reach out is important. […] It changes my job. With more students feeling comfortable, with more students using the right language, saying what’s wrong or what they’re feeling… we’re not breaking down barriers and starting from the bottom, we’re starting from a better point.”

On top of the educational component, the school is trying to raise $800 by March 5 to support the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Unit. Information about the February campaign will be posted on the Chippewa Instagram (@chippewa_secondary_school) and Facebook page (@cssraiders), on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.

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