News from Trillium Lakelands District School Board
After receiving many applications to join the School Mental Health Ontario (SMHO) student resource group – ThriveSMH, two students from Trillium Lakelands District School Board (TLDSB) have been selected to work alongside other students in Ontario to create student-friendly mental health materials and programming. Grade 10 Huntsville Secondary School student Katie Fleming and Grade 9 I.E. Weldon Secondary School student Lily Keys-Brasier were selected to join the provincial team.
“I wanted to join ThriveSMH because working on my school’s Mental Health Committee has been very fulfilling and engaging,” said Katie. “I didn’t realize how necessary mental health awareness was until our school’s leadership group received survey results about student well-being, which prompted us to start a Mental Health Committee.”
“I have always had a passion for social justice, and being a student during the crisis we are in, I felt like it was my duty to apply for this opportunity,” said Lily. “Student voices are sometimes unintentionally belittled or not listened to, so having the opportunity to amplify student thoughts, experiences, and opinions only seemed right. ThriveSMH gives students the opportunity to connect with other students who are also interested in improving student mental health and raising awareness.”
ThriveSMH is aimed towards reducing stigma behind mental health issues at school, contributing student voices and thoughts within various activities.
“We are very excited to have representation at this provincial table and we are confident that Lily and Katie will represent TLDSB well,” said TLDSB District Manager of Mental Health Services Sonya Vellenga. “At TLDSB, we have utilized many of the ThriveSMH resources and we look forward to continuing our work with SMHO and ThriveSMH.”
For more information and mental health resources, visit the School Mental Health Ontario website or the Parent Resources page on the TLDSB website.
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Congratulations Katie and Lily!
Volunteering is so vital in communities around the world.
Thank you for your initiative to join ThriveMSH.
Having young people such as yourselves on this committee will help to communicate issues that affect your
peer group. Stigma with regards to mental health issues can be totally devastating especially to our youth.
I wish you both the very best in your venture to assist our precious youth with their mental health struggles.