Students at North Delta Secondary School hosted the school’s second-annual Mental Health Day on Monday, May 12.
“The goal of Mental Health Day is to both reduce the stigma surrounding mental health issues and to promote good mental health,” said Tara Joshi, one of the student organizers of the event.
The day involved an assembly on psychosis, guest speakers on various mental health issues and an informational fair. The guest speakers spoke to a diverse range of topics including suicide, depression, anxiety, addictions, and schizophrenia. The information fair included various organizations that promote mental health and mental health awareness.The fair allowed students to talk to representatives from the various organizations and to take home informational literature.
The Delta Police provided much support, presenting about trauma and mental illness, post-traumatic stress, and concurrent disorders. During the resource fair, youth were provided with information about what steps the Delta Police Department is taking to help those who are suffering from a mental illness. Caber, Delta Police’s compassionate dog who works with the Victim Services department, also made an appearance.
North Delta Secondary School is one of the first high schools in the Delta School District to have a full day dedicated exclusively to mental health.