Because education is key, third-year UOIT-Durham College Bachelor of Science in Nursing students have been making several presentations on topics such as the myths and facts about mental illness, eating disorders, substance abuse and anxiety disorders during visits to elementary schools across the Greater Toronto Area for students in grades 7 and 8.
"The week is going very well. The students are giving really good and positive feedback," said Dr. Wendy Stanyon, an assistant professor with the UOIT Faculty of Health Sciences. "I'm very excited about the work the students are doing. It's a wonderful opportunity for people to hear people with mental illnesses share their experiences and discuss the challenges that come with being diagnosed with a mental illness."
Dr. Stanyon said the students selected topics related to mental illness that they feel comfortable discussing and prepared their presentations with their audiences in mind. For example, students discussing eating disorders chose to present to students in grades 7 and 8 - an age when eating disorders become a concern for children, especially girls.
Additionally, there will be a one-hour forum on Friday, October 5, hosted by the Whitby Mental Health Centre, Durham College and UOIT. The Talking About Mental Illness (TAMI) Coalition of Durham Region is presenting a Stomping Out Stigma summit where three speakers will share personal stories and challenges they have encountered since being diagnosed with a mental illness. The event is from 11 a.m. to noon in Room 2140 of the UOIT Science building and is open to all faculty, staff and students.
For more information on Mental Illness Awareness Week, please visit www.miaw.ca/en/default.aspx.