Bringing attention to mental health
Empathetic approach works on youth, says teacher
Stewart Burnett
Northern News Services
Thursday, May 4, 2017
INUVIK
For Grade 7 teacher Hayley Rodgers, taking an empathetic approach to mental health awareness has been successful in her class.
Marchers take to the street to raise mental health awareness on a sunny afternoon Monday, May 1. - Stewart Burnett/NNSL photo
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Her students joined a walk for mental health awareness Monday, May 1. The event kicked off several days of mental health activities and promotions.
"I brought the Grade 7 students out for this walk because I think it's really important," said Rodgers.
"It's important for the town, especially the youth, to see that there are people who will stand up for them and there's always somebody out there who will help them."
She's been teaching a program called TAMI, or Talk About Mental Illness. Instead of listing facts about mental illness, it takes an empathetic approach to look at some of the negative stigmas associated with it.
"A lot of it is just discussion-based and asking questions," said Rodgers.
She said the youth take it seriously.
"At first I wasn't sure how they'd react, but I think the empathetic approach to it and talking about how this can affect you really gets them thinking."
Ronnie Stewart-Pascal, a Grade 7 student at East Three Secondary School, said riding his bike was a good way to keep tabs on his mental health.
The event was put together to celebrate Canadian Mental Health Week.
"It's about reducing the stigma of mental health, creating awareness about mental health issues in a positive way," and showing services are available, explained Andrea Brown, manager of mental health and addictions for Beaufort Delta region NWT Health and Social Services Authority.
"Mental health is like our physical health. It's just as important. Sometimes that gets overlooked."
The event was also about promoting wellness activities, doing things that bring people joy and happiness, as well as building relationships with no barriers to participation, she said.
Brown called it amazing in Inuvik to have so many organizations together at once, including the college, justice advocates, Children First, East Three School and more.
"It's just really amazing to see these different agencies come together to promote such a wonderful event," she said.
