May 31: Sudbury Secondary School hosts an evening on youth mental health

Sudbury Secondary School and its School Council are inviting the community to talk about youth mental health on Thursday, May 31st, 2012 at 6 pm. The evening will include a free dinner in the cafeteria.

“Research has shown that as many as one in five teenagers experience a major mental health disorder,” says Sudbury Secondary School Principal Paul Camillo. “As educators, we recognize that we can play an important role in building awareness and providing support.”

Mental health problems, including serious mental illness, are more likely to emerge between the ages of 16 and 24 than at any other stage of life. Fear, embarrassment, peer pressure and stigma are often barriers to getting help for issues of concern to teens, such as depression, stress, suicide and eating disorders.

Following dinner, community partners will host presentations aimed at helping youth build resiliency strategies and stress management techniques, helping youth and parents recognize the signs of mental health problems, supporting and getting help for teens who are experiencing mental health problems, working with school staff and within the school system to advocate for teens, and navigating the health care system to search for help.

Community partners include Health Sciences North, Child and Family Centre, Shkagamik-Kwe Health Centre, Canadian Mental Health Association and the Sudbury & District Health Unit.

The mental health awareness evening is being presented with support from a Parents Reaching Out Grant from the Ministry of Education Parent Engagement Office.

Sudbury Secondary School is located at 154 College Street.

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Media Contact:

Paul Camillo, Principal, Sudbury Secondary School,
Rainbow District School Board, 705-674-7551.