Valley Credit Union donation supports HEADSTRONG
School-based initiative aims to reduce mental health stigma
The Valley Credit Union has thrown its support behind a national initiative teaching students how to reduce stigma and become mental health champions in their schools.
Valley Credit Union has donated $ 3,000 in support of HEADSTRONG committees in high schools throughout the Annapolis Valley. HEADSTRONG is an evidence-based anti- stigma initiative created by the Mental Health Commission of Canada ( MHCC). The program inspires young people ages 12 to 18 to “be brave, reach out and speak up” about mental health.
Annapolis Valley Regional Centre for Education supervisor of school support services, Mike Ouellette, said a team from each high school in the AVRCE’s jurisdiction attended a HEADSTRONG summit at Camp Brigadoon not long ago.
“Those teams are starting in-school HEADSTRONG committees with other interested students and the support of school staff,” Ouellette said. “Students use their own creativity and the HEADSTRONG school- based activity toolkit to hold awareness and education activities for the whole school.”
He said Valley Credit Union’s donation would go a long way in assisting these student- led teams in their work.
Valley Credit Union president and CEO Len Ells said mental health is a serious concern for many people and while society is getting better at talking about it, we still have a long way to go. The HEADSTRONG program is all about removing the stigma around mental health issues so students feel safe, supported and more likely to seek out assistance when they need it.
“We are excited about what these students are creating in their schools and we hope our donation ensures they have the resources they need to make the program as successful as possible,” Ells said.