Youth take charge of mental health

Windsor, ON – For the third year, almost 300 high school students from the Greater Essex County District School Board will participate in a Youth Summit on Tuesday, November 15, 2016 from 9 a.m. until 1:30 pm. at the Ciociaro Club. The objective is to begin the conversation surrounding mental health, reduce stigma and move students towards achieving mental wellness.

Programming for the day was based on input from youth and will include topics on anxiety and depression, bullying, gender identity, career exploration and dealing with loss. The keynote address is being delivered by Candice Allen, high school counselor and proprietor of Phoenix Rising. Her keynote will focus on ‘Mindfulness’ and recognize that true healing can begin when we accept ‘It All Comes Back to You!’

The day also includes hands-on activities including; fitness boot camps, yoga, art and writing.

This event was organized by several community partners including; the GECDSB, Canadian Mental Health Association, Windsor-Essex County Branch (CMHA-WECB), Workforce Windsor Essex, New Beginnings, Windsor Essex Community Health Care and ACCESS, Maryvale and BANA.

“One in five Canadians is affected by mental illness each year. Youth Summits allow us to engage youth to learn about mental health issues, local resources and hear first-hand about the personal experiences of other young people who have dealt with mental illness. Messages of hope, acceptance and the need for early identification and intervention will be shared throughout the day,” says Kim Willis, Director, Communications and Mental Health Promotion, CMHA-WECB.

An event of this magnitude would not be possible without the generous support of the Greater Essex County District School Board, New Beginnings and Workforce Windsor-Essex.