MindRight.Info
NBOM 2017 - Prince George BC
Over 350 middle school and high school students from across the region packed into the Civic Centre today. The first Northern Balancing Our Minds Youth Summit was held, with the goal of ending the stigma around mental health.
The summit began in Vancouver in 2013, but has become a movement across the province. This year, Prince George was one of the 5 locations hosting the event.
It was free for all participants. Canadian Tire, UNBC and other community organizations donated the $40,000 needed to put on the Summit.
Youth heard from keynote speakers who dealt, and survived from, mental health problems. They also got to participate in thoughtful dialog. Several booths were set up, offering support and resources to those who may be struggling with depression or anxiety.
Trent Seymour suffered a spinal injury when he was younger. He was a keynote speaker at the event. “I want to stress that you’re not alone, and to seek help. Part of my journey was a lot of talking before I got into keynote speaking. It was just a lot of talking to anyone who was around; whether it be a counselor or close friend. I think most of us [keynote speakers] will talk from personal experience…I think it’s important because mental health ultimately effects everybody. It’s not discriminatory.”
“It’s nice to have something up in the North,” says Myles Mattila, the MC, Organizer and a keynote speaker at the Summit. “It truly inspires students by seeing everybody come together for the right reasons, and promoting mental health in a positive way to help end the stigma.”
Event Goals:
✓ Increase youth knowledge about mental health and substance use
✓ Build awareness of available mental health tools, resources and services
✓ Decrease stigma towards individuals experiencing mental health challenges
✓ Generate ideas on how to promote mental health and wellness in school communities
Who should attend?
✓ High school aged youth in Northern BC interested in learning about mental health and wellness, decreasing stigma
and creating a community culture that supports youth mental health
✓ School or community based adult allies that have an interest in supporting youth at and after the event
NBOM 2017 - Prince George BC
Over 350 middle school and high school students from across the region packed into the Civic Centre today. The first Northern Balancing Our Minds Youth Summit was held, with the goal of ending the stigma around mental health.
The summit began in Vancouver in 2013, but has become a movement across the province. This year, Prince George was one of the 5 locations hosting the event.
It was free for all participants. Canadian Tire, UNBC and other community organizations donated the $40,000 needed to put on the Summit.
Youth heard from keynote speakers who dealt, and survived from, mental health problems. They also got to participate in thoughtful dialog. Several booths were set up, offering support and resources to those who may be struggling with depression or anxiety.
Trent Seymour suffered a spinal injury when he was younger. He was a keynote speaker at the event. “I want to stress that you’re not alone, and to seek help. Part of my journey was a lot of talking before I got into keynote speaking. It was just a lot of talking to anyone who was around; whether it be a counselor or close friend. I think most of us [keynote speakers] will talk from personal experience…I think it’s important because mental health ultimately effects everybody. It’s not discriminatory.”
“It’s nice to have something up in the North,” says Myles Mattila, the MC, Organizer and a keynote speaker at the Summit. “It truly inspires students by seeing everybody come together for the right reasons, and promoting mental health in a positive way to help end the stigma.”
Event Goals:
✓ Increase youth knowledge about mental health and substance use
✓ Build awareness of available mental health tools, resources and services
✓ Decrease stigma towards individuals experiencing mental health challenges
✓ Generate ideas on how to promote mental health and wellness in school communities
Who should attend?
✓ High school aged youth in Northern BC interested in learning about mental health and wellness, decreasing stigma
and creating a community culture that supports youth mental health
✓ School or community based adult allies that have an interest in supporting youth at and after the event