Wolf Creek Public Schools hosts Mental Health Symposium to empowers students

Presenters included:

Penny Warford: having lived near Alix since she graduated from Alix Mac School, she is currently the Mental Health Capacity Building Program Manager with Clearview Public Schools and led the students through a therapeutic art project
Noah Welch: the former NHL hockey player spoke about his time growing up in hockey, playing pro hockey and how faith has grounded him and his life
Saving Grace Animal Rescue: representatives told students how rewarding their work is while also being challenging on mental health
Dave Lahucik: as the School Resource Officer, he has more than 30 years of experience in law enforcement and shared how he finds strength and support through difficult and traumatic events
Bethany Bieda: a school social worker, she was also a contestant on the reality TV show Big Brother Canada and shared her experience and the social media impact from a quick rise to fame following the show
Rory Lynch: a fire medic who spoke about his high stress profession
Dan Geddert: a father and grandfather, who spoke on grief and loss
Turning Point: representatives from the addictions organization spoke about drug awareness and mental health
Former NHL hockey player Noah Welch speaks to students about his time growing up in hockey and playing pro hockey at Alix-MAC School’s Mental Health Symposium on May 5. (Supplied)

WCPS notes that physical activities were also incorporated to promote the connection between physical and mental well-being with dodgeball, kickball, basketball, and volleyball.

Besuijen said it was important to have variety to show how people cope individually.

“Students had that opportunity to hear people talk about what worked for them and then they, as students, will be able to get a better understanding when they need to decide whether that pathway would work for them too,” she said.

Addressing the students at the start of the symposium, Alix-MAC principal Adrian Paolinelli said it is important to reach out.

“If we keep those things inside, we don’t know how we will let them out. If we reach out to people around us and our support systems, we can get through anything,” he said.

Besuijen added everyone experiences an impact on their mental health and seeking support should be embraced.

“It’s being aware of when you need to seek support, and hopefully a little piece that will come out of all of the presenters,” she said. “It doesn’t matter what the job is, there are always going to be some challenges and mental health doesn’t just happen. You have to work for it. You have to be aware of when you need that support and how to ask for that support.”

by rdnewsNOW Staff

Wolf Creek Public Schools hosts Mental Health Symposium to empowers students

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