By Megan Chase, Editor
RENFREW COUNTY (Douglas) —
Opeongo High School (OHS) DEN Leaders spent weeks organizing their Mindfulness Day which was held on May 23.
Carolyn Comerford, Public Health Nurse for Renfrew County and District Health Unit, helped the students organize the day, which was aimed at helping students to learn more about mental health and wellness.
Motivational speakers were in attendance and included Amy Bell, a Mental Performance Consultant. Students organized a healthy lunch, over 20 different workshops, along with other motivational speakers, therapy dogs and yoga classes.
OHS students showed their gratitude to those who shared their practices with them with a small gift and hand written card. The inscription on the back of the cards read:
“Thank you from the Mindfulness Day 2019 planning team for your contributions. We appreciate your generosity, and today could not have been a success without your help!”
According to the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA), mental illness is increasingly threatening the lives of youth; with Canada’s youth suicide rate the third highest in the industrialized world.
They state it is estimated that 10 to 20 per cent of Canadian youth are affected by a mental illness or disorder, making it the single most disabling group of disorders worldwide.
CMHA reports the total number of 12 to 19 year olds in Canada at risk for developing depression is 3.2 million.
