"Be brave."
At St. Jean de Brébeuf Catholic Secondary School, home of the Braves, being brave is more than a team school motto or mascot, it's a mind shift - one that the school's Heath Action Team (HAT) is hoping to help form.
In response to feedback from students who attended the Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board Student Wellness Forum, the group created mental well-being posters which listed different supports in the community, school and home individuals could turn to if they require assistance.
"Students have mentioned that they don't know where to go for support," said Public Health Nurse Diane Lau, who heads up HAT along with teachers Kala Peric and Adele Rogano.
"We wanted to raise awareness that life can be stressful for students as they balance school and many other activities."
The poster was unveiled to coincide with World Suicide Prevention Day on September 10.
"When we are taking care of ourselves, we need to realize that mental well-being is just as important as physical health. We need to decrease the stigma and be able to talk about our mental well-being," said Lau.
Part of the campaign includes a presentation to each classroom. Members of the HAT team used the posters to open dialogue with their peers and assure them that it is okay to reach out and get help when needed.
The poster also ties into the school's improvement plan which puts a big emphasize on mental health, said Vice-Principal Rob Lombardi.
"Mental health affects everybody. We want students to know there are caring adults in the school they can go to," said Lombardi.
For more information
90 Mulberry Street
Hamilton Ontario
Canada L8N 3R9
www.hwcdsb.ca
