It is always fulfilling when something that started off as a single thought expands into an actionable project, and it is one of the importances of advocacy. Last year, I had the idea of having student workshops on health education at one of our established partnerships for Leadership Experience Week, W.E. Kinvig Elementary School, because I saw the increasing need for more meaningful learning. As such, I reached out to the school and got a partnership organized. The project started off as more of a trial run, with myself and two others leading a session on healthy eating and nutrition.
This May, in recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month, I expanded that work by returning to W.E. Kinvig Elementary School to deliver a mental health and well-being workshop for students in multiple Grade 3 to 5 classrooms, this time alongside five amazing students I had the opportunity to mentor and work with.
Together, we developed and facilitated a 1-hour session focused on helping younger students build emotional awareness towards their well-being. The workshop included several interactive components. One activity invited students to explore emotional regulation through creative expression, giving them a unique way to reflect on how they feel. Another activity focused on positive self-talk with students writing their own affirmations and sharing them with peers through a group momento.
The students I mentored and collaborated with took on meaningful roles. They each led sections of the workshop, helped guide group conversations, and responded to questions with honesty and care.
Miko, a Grade 9 student shared, “I was fortunate to have an audience of third-grade students who asked thoughtful questions and demonstrated high emotional maturity when engaged correctly. In particular, I was surprised with the extent to which mental health had become a subject of relevance to what I initially viewed as a very youthful group --- it was startling to hear about depression, anxiety, and stress in the life of a primary-grade student --- yet, to me, it made the intention of our trip feel more impactful.”
Similarly, Darla, also a Grade 9 student, spoke of her personal experience: “I was in a Grade 4 class with Adam and we taught them a bit on mental health. The class was great and was full of enthusiastic kids. They knew quite a bit for their age and while studying the topic to teach them, I learned a lot more about it myself!”
Visiting the school highlighted the rising issue of mental health challenges among youth today. Engaging directly with students and hearing their thoughts made it clear that well-being is central to how we learn, grow, and connect. Overall, this experience reinforced my belief that giving back to your community through youth-led projects can be incredibly powerful. As Mental Health Awareness Month comes to a close, I’m reminded that these conversations should not stop here. My goal is to continue building and supporting our community to make health education more accessible.
Contributed by Hanna G, Grade 11 Student and Senior School Service Steward