Why mental health?

Hi, my name is Delaney and I'm a grade 11 student at Mount Boucherie! I designed the Walk for Mental Health because I can attest to the effects mental health has on youth in this day and age. One misconception about mental health is that it doesn't affect the majority of people, as it's often mistaken for mental illness. Mental health recognition enables you to care for yourself and your mind and is no different than taking care of your physical health. When I was younger, I wished there had been a class similar to Physical Health Education that focused on the importance of mental well-being. 

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Growing up, I have witnessed how mental health affects youth. Mental health is hard to navigate, and when it comes to friends, it can be more challenging. There were many situations I went through wishing I had resources I could offer to my friends instead of trying to solve problems myself. As a kid, I was far out of my comfort zone, and it caused me to feel the pressure I shouldn't have been under in the first place. 

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A contributing factor to youth mental health was the pandemic and its effects on high schools. Mount Boucherie Secondary School, like many other schools, was impacted by it, and we saw a change in the atmosphere among the students. As a Leadership student at MBSS, it became imperative to recognize this change and work to repair it. Throughout this, we needed to provide access to resources and highlight the support available in the community.

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Why Foundry Kelowna?

I heard about Foundry Kelowna when I began researching mental health and resources in my area. From the beginning, I have been in awe of Foundry and what they offer for programs and support. They are an incredible resource that not only has such promising accessibility but also great dedication to their community. The programs and support they offer are exactly what I could have used in those difficult situations with friends.