Creating a healthy mental health environment at school

Creating a healthy school mental health environment

WELLNESS CLASS

Murray Green, Camrose Booster

Carley Ritz, Battle River School Division Mental Health Capacity Building Wellness coach, and École Camrose Composite High School students Francis Scullion, Margaret Wideman-Lyon, Rayne Andersen and Sophia D’Eschambeault share in searching for ways to improve mental health at the high school.

By Lori Larsen

By Murray Green

Students at École Camrose Composite High School have a student-led mental health community initiative.

“The students meet regularly once a week to promote positive mental health throughout the Comp, as well as reduce the stigma about mental health and illness,” said Carley Ritz, Mental Health Capacity Building wellness coach.

“This year, we have been working on a stamp design challenge, so we partnered with Fika Coffeehouse and GOAT Coffee. They agreed to have our mental health slogans stamped onto their coffee sleeves this summer. We hope to have them in July,” said Carley.

“We invited all of the ÉCCHS students to submit a design and we selected two. The first one is You Got to Nourish In Order to Flourish. The second one is If You Can’t Find A Bright Side, We Will Sit With You In The Dark. The intension is to promote positive mental health,” explained Carley.

“Once we had the slogans, we asked for art designs. We now have two designs that we will turn into stamps.”

The high school students developed several stress reducing ideas to help reduce stress during final exams.

“On three different days, we provided snacks, hot chocolate or tea and cinnamon buns. We also had an art station, music playing and offered fidgits–anything that we could do to reduce stress,” added Carley.

“Next year, we have plans to continue to meet as a committee, but also to brainstorm some new ideas and education pieces that we can share with the school. We haven’t figured out what those topics are going to be yet. This year, we have 24 very motivated students across Grade 9 to 12. We have a core group that continues to come and who have a passion for it,” shared Carley.

The high school has what is called Trojan block time of 40 minutes to explore different topics and themes other than regular classes. It is an opportunity to receive additional support in areas where they need it. Some students seek extra math or science time. Other students ask for mental health time to recharge and help other students. That is what this group is about.

“Next year, the students want to talk about safety online. They are seeing aggression online. We want to talk about healthy relationships when you interact online. My colleagues talk about consent and healthy relationships, so this would continue from what they are doing,” revealed Carley.

“This group wants to create a safer environment for all students. We want students to be aware of it and talk about it. Mental health impacts so many aspects of everyone’s life,” said Carley.

“I go to all of the grade classes at the beginning of the year and talk about mental health. I give general information on what to do, how to spot it in your friend and how you can help. We are hoping that within the division, we have that curriculum for all Grade 9 students. We want it to be a preventive measure. We want evidencebased material to show that not everything on the internet is true,” said Carley.

She also leads various programs at Chester Ronning, Charlie Killam, Bashaw and Jack Stuart Schools within the Battle River School Division.

Camrose is moving up

As of noon on June 27, Camrose was sixth in the province and 44th in the country for the ParticipACTION Community Better Challenge to get and keep moving.

With only two days left, Camrose is amidst some pretty heavy hitters in the province with Edmonton, Red Deer, Lloydmister, Vulcan and Calgary just ahead of us.

Make every step count, Camrosians, and maybe our community will be in the running for the $100,000 funds to be used for recreation purposes in the community or other provincial prizes. At the very least, aim for the big prize–better health.

For more information on the initiative visit www.participaction.com/ en-ca/programs/community-challenge.

Robby Michael Foss

Rob was born on February 22, 1967 at Calgary, Alberta to Roger and Marilyn. He passed away unexpectedly on June 14, 2022, at the age of 55 years.

He is lovingly remembered by his father Roger Foss and mother Marilyn Stevenson (Garth); sister Kelly Frigon (Sheldon, Fox and AJ); daughters Chelsey and Melissa (Danton); and numerous uncles, aunts, nieces and nephews.

After Rob was born, the family lived in Calgary and then moved to Strome in 1969. Rob’s sister Kelly arrived in 1971, and he was a wonderful big brother right from the start. The family moved to Camrose in 1975 and spent their spare time camping and fishing. Rob attended elementary and high school in Camrose until he started working with Roger in industrial construction, working across Western Canada and the Territories. He made many good friends along the way.

Rob married Karen Burnett in 1991 and they settled in the Millet area. In 1994, they welcomed their daughter Chelsey, and in 1995, Melissa completed their family. Of anything in his life, Rob was the most proud of his girls. He enjoyed any time he could spend with them and helping them with their cars.

Rob had a love for anything with a motor from a very early age. He got his start in driving when he was three years old, when he got a replica 1932 electric Ford Roadster for Christmas. His love for all things mechanical never diminished. He drove cars, motorbikes and skidoos his whole life. He loved camping and fishing. And he loved music. He grew up listening to the Beatles and had an appreciation for all kinds of music.

Rob had many good friends with whom he enjoyed going for drives and just hanging out, having a drink and talking. He also enjoyed photography and he loved watching sunsets. Rob will be greatly missed by many.

A celebration of life was held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 25, 2022 at Weber’s Mount Pleasant Chapel in Camrose. The family requests that those attending please dress in casual clothes in honour of Robby.

Memorial donations may be made to the Stollery Children’s Hospital.

OUT AT FIRST

Murray Green, Camrose Booster