Schools to benefit from Mental Health Week activities

A “graffiti wall” will be part of Mental Health Week promotions in Lethbridge.

Aimed at urging gratitude as part of mental wellbeing, the wall will be available Saturday afternoon, noon to 4 p.m. at the Helen Schuler Nature Centre.

In Lethbridge-area schools meanwhile, students will be encouraged to express gratitude for the good things in their lives. That can bring improved physical health, researchers say, as well as psychological and social benefits.

At the same time, Alberta’s health minister has marked the week by announcing additional funding for mental-health initiatives in schools across the province.

“We’ve heard from concerned parents and educators of a growing need for counselling and other mental-health programming,” Sarah Hoffman said while announcing a $5-million boost Monday.

“Making sure kids receive these supports is key to setting them up for future success.”

The provincial government’s Mental Health Capacity Building in Schools program uses schools “as community hubs to deliver mentalhealth services and programs, and to provide information and early intervention and treatment services,” officials explain.

Currently funding 37 programs across Alberta, the program will support up to 15 more — expanding to reach more than 100,000 students across the province.

By making a point of expressing gratitude, researchers say, adults can also improve their state of health. Psychologically, they would be more alert, experience more joy and pleasure, feel more optimistic and happy.

Socially, they would be more helpful, generous and compassionate, more forgiving and outgoing — and less lonely or isolated.

Physical benefits would include lower blood pressure, a stronger immune system, longer and more refreshing sleeps, energy for more activities, and fewer worries about aches and pains.

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