It isn’t just reading, writing and ’rithmetic that make high school and college students worry – there is plenty to stress out about when you’re starting out in life.
The Mental Wellness + You workshop aims to deal with these issues and more with young adults in Burnaby.
The workshop takes place during the Simon Fraser University and City of Burnaby’s Festival of Learning on Monday, May 7 at the Bob Prittie branch of the Burnaby Public Library.
The idea for the workshop evolved from feedback after the Life after High School workshops put on by Empower the Future, according to Shawna Narayan, the organization’s executive director.
“We gathered their feedback, analyzed it and found there was an alarming rate of students that had concerns about their mental wellness as part of post-secondary education,” Narayan said, adding the comments ranged from concerns about leaving high school to fears about what awaited the students in college.
Those attending the workshop will hear from students who have been in their shoes.
“Through this workshop, we have students that have gone through mental distress and have been able to tell their stories as part of their healing,” Narayan said. “It’s kind of an example for students that are kind of feeling the same way.”
Narayan also has an understanding of what students go through.
“For me, when I was in high school, graduation was an exciting but really scary thing, especially because I was moving away from home, I was going to be on my own, I was studying at UBC,” she said. “There are always difficulties along the way that post-secondary schools don’t always talk about.”
The workshops teach a number of stress management skills, including time management and communication skills – something many people overlook as a way to deal with stressors, Narayan said.
“It can be really helpful to talk about your stress with assignments and academic related things to your professors and counsellors and advisers. The earlier that you talk to them about it, the earlier they can help and intervene,” Narayan said. “I like to say that’s my number 1 thing, and a way that I advocate for myself, and I don’t really think most students know that because they find that professors are often intimidating.”
Students should keep in mind that professors are human and they do care, she added.
“Your education is important to them as well, and they want to help you, even if it is something like an emotional issue that you’re having, talking to them can always help with your academic stresses,” Narayan said.
High school and post-secondary students who wish to register for the free workshop should go to mentalwellness-you.eventbrite.ca.
