In conjunction with the annual Bell Let’s Talk campaign, a group of Trinity College School students worked with the guidance department to host initiatives aimed at talking about and addressing mental wellness on Wednesday, January 29th. The day was built around the theme of how we can identify and share our feelings, and also how we can be good listeners and supports for others who may need to share how they are feeling.
The students were members of the Wellness Initiative group which gathered during the School’s Week Without Walls service learning program in December: Franziska Nix, Kristie Lam, Agnes Grabcova, Jack Sprayson, Maggie McLean and Victoria Wilson. They worked in conjunction with Ms. Krista Koekkoek and Ms. Kerri Dunn, two members of the School’s guidance office who serve as social-emotional counsellors for Senior School students.
The day began with a chapel announcement to introduce students to what was to come and speak about Bell Let’s Talk, which is a campaign to raise funds and awareness for mental health, and to work to remove stigma around mental health issues. Bell contributes 5 cents to mental health programs for each text, call, tweet/retweet, social media video view or use of the Let’s Talk Facebook frame or Snapchat filter during the day. At morning break, students were encouraged to come to Cirne Commons to view some of the videos, and to see responses by their fellow students on issues around mental health, coping, reaching out for help and being an ally to those in need. A frame was available for students to take photos and post to Facebook with #BellLetsTalk.
During Activity for Life period in the afternoon, students were able to sign out of their program to come to Cirne Commons and participate in a workshop on learning to identify and listen to feelings.
