Middle school students participate in Headstrong program

About 80 middle school students came together Wednesday at Cape Breton University for a sharing and learning experience around mental health.

The partnership between Nova Scotia Health Authority’s child and adolescent mental health and addiction services, Cape Breton-Victoria Regional Centre for Education’s SchoolsPlus program and Family Services of Eastern Nova Scotia continues through the oneday Headstrong summit.

Headstrong focuses on education on mental health and the impact of stigma. The day was facilitated by both school counsellors and child and adolescent services staff. There were also presentations by community members that share a message of hope, recovery and the impact of stigma. The day wrapped up with a conversation café which highlighted that people are more alike than different, and that everyone has a role in change.

Youth participants were asked how they can make their school and community more accepting to those with mental health and substance use disorders. Students and administrators will then return to their schools and initiate their own Headstrong champion projects using tools, resources and new knowledge.

The goal of Headstrong is to increase knowledge of mental health and mental illness and addictions, decrease stigma, and change current attitudes about mental health. The project, now in its fifth year, is building a network of support through accurate knowledge and understanding amongst youth in our community.

Research shows that 70 per cent of mental health problems can have their onset during childhood or adolescence. Young people aged 15-24 are more likely to experience mental health disorders and substance use disorders than other age groups. Only about 25-30 per cent of children and adolescents receive the help they need.