Social Justice Takes Action on #BellLetsTalk Day
One in five Canadians experience a problem related to mental health or addiction, and youth aged 15 to 24 are more likely to experience a mental health or addiction problem than any other age group.
With these facts in mind, the Social Justice Committee decided that creating a happy, secure, and welcoming environment at CDS was even more important than initially believed. Students spend more than six hours a day at school and that is why creating a safe space at school is so important. With “Bell Let's Talk” day coming up, our group put our heads together to find ways we could both: (1) Create an even stronger community at CDS, and (2) Raise awareness about the importance of mental health.
The group came up with three ideas. Firstly, on a Monday Assembly we played a Buzzfeed video which compared mental health to physical health. The video spoke on one of the major misunderstandings that onlookers have about mental illness. Most people do not understand that mental health problems can impact someone the same way that some physical illnesses can and therefore should be treated with the same concern.
Secondly, the committee put out a large piece of paper that asked students what mental health meant to them. This activity allowed for students to reflect on the meaning of mental health and the role that it plays in their own lives. This piece of paper will later be folded into a beautiful paper crane (courtesy of the lovely Julia Garbe), and will remain as a fixed structure in the School.
Lastly, the Social Justice team got together on Bell Let’s Talk day, by the Guy Fireplace, to create a “Phone Zone.” This allowed students to gather together and send out snapchats, tweets, and instagram posts which supported the initiative and raised five cents per post.
For everyone at home, mental illness is a serious issue, and it is up to us as part of the CDS community to support those around us who are suffering in silence. If you are interested in reading more facts about mental illness, or would like to see the video mentioned, the links are below.
Story by Palma Gurdulic, Grade 11 student
Land Acknowledgment
The Country Day School wishes to recognize and acknowledge the land on which the school operates. Our nearest Indigenous Nations are now the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation and the Chippewas of Georgina Island. The Dish with One Spoon Wampum covenant is often cited as an example of the shared responsibility for caring for these lands among the Huron-Wendat, Anishinaabe and Haudenosaunee peoples who would call these their traditional territories. CDS respects the relationship with these lands and recognizes that our connection to this land can be strengthened by our continued relationship with all First Nations, by acknowledging our shared responsibility to respect and care for the land and waters for future generations.
School Information
13415 Dufferin Street King, Ontario L7B 1K5
(905) 833-1220
communications@cds.on.ca
admissions@cds.on.ca
Founded in 1972, The Country Day School is a co-educational private school offering programs in JK-12 and located on 100 acres north of Toronto in King.
(905) 833-1220
communications@cds.on.ca
admissions@cds.on.ca
Founded in 1972, The Country Day School is a co-educational private school offering programs in JK-12 and located on 100 acres north of Toronto in King.
