Canmore’s young student leaders were honoured this weekend at a Canmore Collegiate High School ceremony to mark completion of this year’s Community Helpers program.
Seeing a marked increase in participation from previous years, CCHS students completed a mental health program designed to equip student leaders with the tools and resources to assist their peers.
“Walking through the hallways, I try and smile at people and spread positive energy,” said Geoff Otto, a Grade 11 student. “That may be why some people see me as a positive leader in the school.”
Over 60 candidates were nominated by their peers to take part in the two-day training program, with 25 choosing to take part, an increase from a steady number of 14 in years past.
“They learn the practical skills of helping and self-care,” said Yvonne Law, Community Helpers programmer for the Town of Banff.
Community Helpers provide informal support to the community, lending a listening ear and directing those who want help to mental health resources available in the Bow Valley.
“No one is expected to be a councillor in this program, we really stress that,” said Law. “We want people to know where to have people go if a problem is bigger than they can handle.”
Some of the topics covered in the program were suicide prevention, what healthy relationships look like, and how to recognize drug and alcohol abuse.
Otto said the program had an immediate effect for him personally, as he was able to help some of his friends with drug and alcohol problems and unhealthy relationships.
“I just talked them through it and made them come to the conclusion themselves that they need to deal with their personal problems,” said Otto. “It was due to this program, so that’s really good.”
This year’s student nominations were emailed directly to parents leading to the increase in program participation.
“The parents look at this and say ‘this is a life long skill you’re going to need,’ ” said Law.
The Community Helpers program is also offered to businesses and other interested community groups.
Training is done once a month except for summer months, and will start up again in October.
“I learned how our community does want to help from the bottom of our hearts,” said Otto.
For more information on the Community Helpers program, and for the mental health resources available in the Bow Valley, Yvonne Law can be contacted at [email protected] and at 403-762-1119.
