Over 250 students from independent schools across the Lower Mainland descended on Southpointe Academy for the inaugural Mini Balancing Our Minds: Youth Summit 2015 last month.
The summit at the Tsawwassen school saw students participate in the process of rethinking society's approach to mental health issues.
Following a blessing from Tsawwassen First Nation elder Ruth Adams, Grade 8 to 12 students received presentations from a number of professionals, heard personal accounts from student presenters and participated in a panel discussion of teens articulating the actions they are taking to promote mental health awareness.
The day included breakout sessions for teens where students had the opportunity to collaborate with one another.
They also had a chance to visit a number of resource information booths hosted by mental health support and promotional organizations.
After attending the Balancing Our Minds Summit for the past two years at Rogers Arena, Southpointe Academy students were eager to contribute to a growing conversation about mental health and the issues faced by many of their peers on a daily basis.
The summit reflected their amenability to initiate change in South Delta and the Lower Mainland by rebranding the face of mental health, both personally and amongst peers from Southpointe Academy and other schools.
Southpointe Academy Grade 12 student Aliyya Rashid believes they are well on their way towards creating a community that is a comfortable place for youth, where tolerance for mental health issues is encouraged.
