Supporting Our Youth's Mental Health
On May 14th, the Rotary Club of Erin was proud to partner with Erin District High School to deliver the first Minds Matter, a groundbreaking mental health and well-being event. The primary goal of this event was to raise awareness about mental health, a crucial issue that often goes unnoticed, and provide tools, resources and strategies specifically targeted at youth to help them navigate and find ways to address this issue in their own lives.
“We appreciated the support of the Rotary Club in delivering our Youth Mental Health Day. It was great to see so many community partners come forward to highlight the services students have access to in the community and nice to see how engaged and appreciative students were during the event.” – Francis Noventa, Principal Erin District High School.
Keynote speaker Sarah Kinlin of Pearl Performance (https://sarahkinlin.com) started the event with an inspirational presentation about mental health and overcoming even the greatest adversities. Following this, the students could participate in over 20 well-being workshops, such as boot camp fitness, drama, beading, painting, nature exploration, yoga, boxing and mindfulness. In addition, students attended a Wellness Fair with a broad selection of healthcare providers such as Youth in Crisis support agencies, volunteer organizations, emergency services and a nutritionist, providing invaluable information all in one spot.
The event's success was a testament to the power of community support. Over 300 students attended, and their positive experiences were made possible by the generous contributions of local community organizations and businesses. The Minds Matter event was impactful and meaningful to youth in our community. Recognizing the importance of mental health and providing resources and support for youth is essential for their well-being.
“This event truly reflected our community's commitment to the student's mental health and well-being,” said Claire Bell, Erin Rotary Event Leader.
Erin Rotary plans to make Minds Matter an annual event and a cornerstone of its Youth strategy, further solidifying the Club’s commitment to youth well-being.
Images (media note: at the request of Erin District High School, some images have been edited to remove student identifiers).
Source: Danielle Arnold Photography
Submitted by Mark Heller
Rotary Club of Erin