Algonquin College hosts mental health discussion on Bell Let's Talk Day
Students and staff at Algonquin College took part in the conversation on Bell Let's Talk Day.
The college hosted an in-person and virtual event in the auditorium, presented by The Royal and DIFD (Do it For Daron) to learn about the best ways to look after your mental health and that of others.
"An event like this is a real reminder that the college thinks it’s important, the Royal knows it’s important, and so does Do it for Daron; that’s why these agencies are supporting this event," said Dr. Gail Beck, Royal Ottawa interim chief of staff and Psychiatrist-in-Chief.
"As a child psychiatrist, who sees mostly youth, I’m aware that this is a group of people who have suffered a lot through the pandemic and for them to bring back an in-person event that talks about mental health at this point of time is really important," she said.
Speakers on stage covered three topics: anxiety and depression at school, substance use health, and suicide warning signs.
"Everyone has experienced something with mental health, so to learn more about it, and to be able to kind of connect with people on campus, it’s an important issue for everyone to be aware of," said Katelyn Rainer, a second year Algonquin College student who attended the event.
"As someone who suffers from mental health and stuff like that, with either anxiety or depression, knowing that there are services, knowing that there are other people around here to help is something that is comforting," said student Sam Michaud.
Tara White is another student who attended, who said she didn’t have things like this growing up in a small town.
"It’s nice to know that there’s more awareness around it, and we’re able to have these talks and conversations."
CTV Morning Live’s Stefan Keyes hosted the event.
"I certainly hope that what they have received from this panel discussion is knowledge, coping mechanisms, resources, and the understanding that a lot of people are going through this," he said. "Bell Let’s Talk is all about having these conversations."
The panel discussion was part of activities during Algonquin College’s Mental Health Awareness week, which runs from Jan. 23 to 27.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Quebec nurse had to clean up after husband's death in Montreal hospital
On a night she should have been mourning, a nurse from Quebec's Laurentians region says she was forced to clean up her husband after he died at a hospital in Montreal.
Cuban government apologizes to Montreal-area family after delivering wrong body
Cuba's foreign affairs minister has apologized to a Montreal-area family after they were sent the wrong body following the death of a loved one.
What is changing about Canada's capital gains tax and how does it impact me?
The federal government's proposed change to capital gains taxation is expected to increase taxes on investments and mainly affect wealthy Canadians and businesses. Here's what you need to know about the move.
'Anything to win': Trudeau says as Poilievre defends meeting protesters
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is accusing Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre of welcoming 'the support of conspiracy theorists and extremists,' after the Conservative leader was photographed meeting with protesters, which his office has defended.
Northern Ont. lawyer who abandoned clients in child protection cases disbarred
A North Bay, Ont., lawyer who abandoned 15 clients – many of them child protection cases – has lost his licence to practise law.
Boeing's financial woes continue, while families of crash victims urge U.S. to prosecute the company
Boeing said Wednesday that it lost US$355 million on falling revenue in the first quarter, another sign of the crisis gripping the aircraft manufacturer as it faces increasing scrutiny over the safety of its planes and accusations of shoddy work from a growing number of whistleblowers.
Bank of Canada officials split on when to start cutting interest rates
Members of the Bank of Canada's governing council were split on how long the central bank should wait before it starts cutting interest rates when they met earlier this month.
Fair in Ontario, flurries in Labrador: Weather systems make for an erratic spring
"It's a bit of a complicated pattern; we've got a lot going on," said Jennifer Smith of the Meteorological Service of Canada in an interview with CTVNews.ca on Wednesday. "[As is] typical with weather, all of these things are related."
Police tangle with students in Texas and California as wave of campus protest against Gaza war grows
Police tangled with student demonstrators in Texas and California while new encampments sprouted Wednesday at Harvard and other colleges as school leaders sought ways to defuse a growing wave of pro-Palestinian protests.