Sometimes, when you take on a challenge, the impact of your efforts is far more reaching than you ever imagined. When grade 9 students at St. Patrick’s High School chose to participate in the Ciena Solutions Challenge, their goal was to create a safe space for their peers to learn about mental health. As May kicks off with Mental Health Week, they see their vision embraced by students and staff throughout their school.
Students recognize the importance of mental health
The Ciena Solutions Challenge is a global design challenge that invites students and teachers to create real-life solutions to build a better world. The students in Victoria Guerra’s Information & Communication Technology in Business class chose to address UN Sustainable Development Goal 3 – Good Health and Well-being. Based on the impact of various world events and their life experiences, the students felt that mental health needed more attention. Their goal was to remove mental health stigma within their school community. They hoped to create a safe space for students to help support their mental health and well-being.
No ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach
Students participated in multiple discussions and activities about how identities shape our attitudes toward mental health. They discussed how these elements could limit access to mental health support. The students shared strategies that they used to cope with mental health challenges. They also surveyed students to understand their needs and how the school could help. They acknowledged that there is no ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach to addressing mental health issues. But finding and accessing mental health services needs to be streamlined.
Appealing to different levels of ‘readiness’
To address these issues and support their school community, the students created a website called “by students, for students.” Why a website? A website provides easy access and user-friendly information relating to mental health resources. The website showcases in-school student resources and community mental health resources. Students can now post information and services that appeal to different mental health readiness levels.
Ciena Challenge and Beyond
Inspired by her student’s enthusiasm, Ms. Guerra chose to expand the project’s reach beyond her classes. Collaborating with other educators, they created the Head, Heart, Health (HHH) initiative. This project provided school-wide mental health and well-being activities chosen based on the needs identified by grade 9 students. The SPH Mental Health website is a one-stop spot for information. HHH also works with St. Patrick’s Student Council to deliver curated mental health content through the school’s social media channels. What started as a class project evolved into a school-wide initiative. It has also shown students they can make a positive difference in their classroom and beyond.