Her Excellency Sharon Johnston visited St. Michael Catholic High School in Kemptville, on Monday, April 25, where she learned about mental health initiatives currently being implemented at the school.
Her Excellency then provided inspirational remarks at an assembly in the school gymnasium, before joining students for a five-kilometre walk for Defeat Depression, a campaign through the Mood Disorders Society of Canada.
“I am deeply grateful that you have invited me here to walk with you today,” began Her Excellency. “I hope that over the course of the five-kilometres I will have a chance to speak with many of you about mental health. Thank you for joining me in this walk to defeat depression.”
Her Excellency continued, “It’s a terrible burden for a child or adolescent to wake up every morning feeling sad. We live in a fast moving society with high expectations, this leads to depression and anxiety in the school, and the workplace. I commend the Catholic District School Board of Eastern Ontario for its comprehensive approach to good mental health.”
During the assembly, a cheque presentation for $1,500 was made by student Kotay Bryson, on behalf of St. Michael CHS, to Mr. Stephen Elliot, Vice Chair, Board of Directors for Children’s Mental Health of Leeds and Grenville.
Also in attendance at the event were CDSBEO Board Chair Brent Laton, and Director of Education Wm. J. Gartland.
“The Board has had a constant and growing focus on mental health, which includes both student and staff wellbeing,” noted Chair Brent Laton. “Having Her Excellency here today at St. Michael enforces how important it is to continue talking about mental health and working toward eliminating the stigma of mental illness.”
“It’s always an exciting opportunity for the Board when we can bring a focus to mental health, and certainly having Her Excellency Sharon Johnston here with us today makes the event particularly memorable,” noted Mr. Gartland. “We are so happy she was able to experience how our schools, and Board, are supporting student mental health.”
The CDSBEO has participated in the Defeat Depression campaign for three consecutive years. This year, all CDSBEO schools will host an event to raise money for Defeat Depression which supports local mental health agencies, with a portion of the proceeds going to the Mood Disorders Society of Canada. This campaign is one piece of a comprehensive, multi-faceted mental health strategy which has evolved in the CDSBEO since 2012.
