Let's Talk About Mental Health

Bell Let’s Talk is an annual event that calls on all Canadians to talk about mental health and work to break the stigma surrounding mental illness. On January 31, Canadians are encouraged to open up these conversations; often the first step in getting help is talking about the a problem.

To get that conversation going, Greenwood’s Jack Chapter invited Emma O’Hare from Bell Let’s Talk to speak with students about mental health, breaking the stigma, and how to get help if they need it.

O’Hare spoke openly about her own experiences with depression, since the time she was eight years old. She found that once she was able to open up about these struggles, she was able to get help, and stressed that anyone with a mental illness should not feel like they need to suffer in silence. She encouraged students to celebrate any steps they take to support their mental health, no matter how small.

Students’ mental health is something we take very seriously. Anxiety is on the rise for Ontario teens, with one third of students reporting moderate or severe psychological distress. Greenwood’s own Jack Chapter works year-round to combat stigma and to promote caring for mental health. On the first day of term one culminating exams, they handed out cookies and high fives to give students a positive start to their day and a moment to destress. They are continuing their “Humans of Greenwood” campaign, which encourages community members to speak candidly about their emotions and experiences, and to learn from one another. You can check out this campaign through the Jack Chapter’s Facebook page.  

We are also hosting a guest speaker, Dr. Alex Russell, on February 22. He will be discussing anxiety, and strategies for parents to support their teenagers to manage their anxiety. Registration is required.

We hope that community members will continue to join in these efforts, increasing their knowledge and understanding about mental health.