Today (Thursday, Oct. 10) is World Mental Health Day, and in recognition, the district is highlighting a number of resources for students, staff and parents to support their mental health.
Founded by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1992, World Mental Health Day seeks to increase mental health education around the world while raising awareness and advocacy against social stigma. This year's theme is It is time to Prioritize Mental Health in the Workplace, and Surrey Schools' Education Services District Principal Daniel To has taken the lead on promoting the day within district schools and offices with a personal essay on his own mental health.
"I am not always well," writes To. "I typically feel great physically and generally feel well mentally - but that's not always the case.
"Like physical wellness, our mental health does fluctuate, and this is normal. Recognizing this in ourselves is critical to making sure that we take the steps to remain healthy overall. Knowing what triggers our physical and mental distress, understanding what we can do to minimize these triggers and finding ways to rebuild our physical and mental resilience are key to helping us remain healthy overall. There is nothing wrong with recognizing that you are physically sick or that your mental health is not what it should be."
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