Mindful education

Author: Janis Ramsey

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Janis Ramsey

Nancy Roxborough, CEO of the Simcoe County branch of the Canadian Mental Health Association, accepts a cheque for $80,600 from John Eley, director of manufacturing at Baxter Corporation. The money has hired a youth education worker to talk to teens about mental health issues.

Since graduating high school, a whole new world of opportunity has opened up for Elly Mowers.
But she had to be swallowed up by her world first, in order for her to make that discovery.
Mowers suffers from depression – a common mental illness that can affect many teens.
A year after finishing high school, Mowers landed in the hospital from her condition, and that led her to the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA).
“It’s been a trip every since, and I don’t know where I’d be without their services,” said Mowers.
Five years later, she has gone back to school, is living independently with her son, and is completing a university practicum with the CMHA as a social worker.
She now lectures high school teens and counsels them, about dealing with depression.
“I identify with the students I see, and I find parts of my story within theirs.”
She was there as Alliston’s Baxter International Foundation gave an $80,600 donation to the Simcoe County branch of the Canadian Mental Health Association – money that will go to teach youth about mental illness.
The money has already been used to hire Pamela Thorne, a youth education and outreach worker, who will visit high schools to spread the word about mental illness.
“We are known for supporting health and wellness in the community,” said John Eley, director of manufacturing at Baxter. “Many of our products (we manufacture) help save lives,” He said the money is one of the largest grants from the company’s philanthropic foundation to a Canadian organization.
Baxter Corporation produces intravenous solutions and the IV bags to help renal patients.
“Through volunteers, donations and grants, we support the community.”
Mowers said the money would be of benefit to local teens. “So many students are so isolated, and to have somebody come to their school who knows about mental illness, and can educate them, will make that door open a little easier,” said Mowers.
“I needed services in high school I didn’t even know existed, and I didn’t have anyone I could talk to. It’s hard to access services (as a teen) so for the services to come to you is a great idea.”
Not only do students need to be more educated about mental illness – which is about more than just the tough pitfalls faced by many teens – but their parents need to learn too.
“Parents need to be educated more, and to be accepting.”
Topics covered by the new outreach worker include self-injury, eating disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorders and stress.
For more information about mental illness, call the CMHA at 726-5033, or visit http:// cmhasim.on.ca.