Students from across Northern Ontario gathered at Laurentian Univeristy Nov. 16, to learn about mental health at Jack.org Laurentian's inaugural Regional Summit.
The afternoon included a full-day of workshops surrounding mental health such as what it is, the importance of self-care, how to be there for others, and how to start a movement.
Youth were also invited to make a stress-ball and take part in a Zumba class as a break from the information-packed day.
Among that afternoon's participants was Emma Portelance, a Grade 11 student from Chapleau High School who attended the summit alongside fellow members of her school's student senate.
Portelance was invited to the event by her school principal, whose daughter attends Laurentian University and informed them of the full-day of workshops. Seeing as student senate dedicates their time to making positive change in the school, Portelance said she was happy to participate, especially given what she considers a lack of mental health services at her high school.
According to Portelance, her school only has one counsellor that visits once every two weeks to assist those who require emotional support. Students are required to book these appointments well in advance and must wait to be called to the office, which discourages many from accessing the service at all.
"We can talk to each other, but sometimes you just need someone who can actually help you," said Portelance.
Many students turn to teachers in search of this guidance, but she said this is often a one-way conversation. Teachers are not legally allowed to offer advice or even listen at times to those that seek their counsel.
As a result of this and a lack of resources, Portelance said any education in this regard is done independently or through friends and family.
Coming into the experience with what she describes as little to no knowledge on the topic of mental health, Portelance was admittedly nervous but feels confident she will be able to improve her school community with the information she has gained.
The most importance thing Portelance said she learnt from the afternoon was that mental health is not necessarily associated with a diagnosable condition, but is something that requires everyday maintenance similiar to physical health.
Portelance said the experience also taught her the importance of self-care, which she hopes to champion in her own life as well as her school community.
Jack.org is the leading youth national mental health charity in Canada. It encourages students to advocate for mental health in their respective communities.
This is accomplished through the work of youth advocates to host community hubs across the country.
In addition to regional summits, Jack.org hosts an annual national summit in Toronto, as well as Jack Talks at schools and community groups across the country.
It was at one of these talks that Sadia Fazelyar, one of three Ontario network representatives of Jack.org, was first introduced to the organization and its mission.
"When I first started getting into mental advocacy I didn't know how to make a difference," said Fazelyar. "Jack.org gave me those tools and a lot of confidence when it comes to that as well."
In her last three years with the organization, Fazelyar said she has been proud to see Jack.org grow to include more people and more ideas. Particularly, she said, in bringing youth to the table to share their opinions and insight to senior levels of government on policy surrounding mental health..
With the organizing growing, she said it's encouraging more youth to be upfront and honest in sharing their personal experiences.
Co-presidents of Jack.org Laurentian Allie Chown and Thomas Houle said they've noticed students are more comfortable talking about their experience and mental health in general since the group was introduced on campus four years ago.
"The more talking there is the more willing people are going to be to seek help and also start that conversation with their friends," said Chown.
"You can find ways of making school a lot easier just on your mental health, (which can) really contribute to how well you do," said Houle.
More information on Jack.org Laurentian can be found here.
