YouthSpeak Empowers Students with Self-Care and Coping Strategies During Mental Health Week
In honour of Mental Health Week, today’s Middle/Senior School Advisor morning featured an inspiring presentation by two guest speakers from YouthSpeak, a mental health organization based in York Region. Their session focused on empowering students to recognize the signs of being in “survival brain” – the state of feeling mentally and emotionally overwhelmed – and equipping them with self-care and coping strategies to navigate challenging moments.
Akua captivated the audience by courageously sharing her personal story. Growing up, she had felt silenced by the weight of her struggles, choosing to stay quiet rather than speak out. A transformative shift occurred when she began to open up to a trusted friend and family member. As she found her voice, she also found the strength to take control of her narrative and prioritize her mental well-being.
She shared that self-expression and self-care remain vital parts of her mental health journey. Simple but meaningful practices—such as taking long walks, journaling, listening to music, and even playing video games—help her reconnect with herself and foster positivity. She reminded students that small acts, like striking up a conversation with a neighbor, can spark joy and reaffirm our connection to others.
“We have to remember that hard times don’t last forever. Life isn’t easy, and there will always be road bumps—it’s that we just get better at dealing with them.”
Their advice resonated with students, offering hope and practical tools to handle life’s inevitable challenges. Cedric emphasized that when we discover what coping tools work for us, our minds and bodies relax, allowing us to approach life with greater clarity and resilience. Together, CDS students came up with a list of ways to practice self care, including making time for reflection, working out, family time, helping someone else, knitting and spending time with a pet.
Cedric and Akua’s presentation is nicely aligned with YouthSpeak’s mission: to empower youth through leadership, training, and the sharing of personal stories. Their work aims to instill resilience, hope, and practical strategies for navigating life’s difficulties.
Thank you to YouthSpeak for their powerful and relatable stories, and to the Health Science Club for organizing this meaningful session. Together, they helped made Mental Health Week a memorable and impactful experience for everyone involved.
Land Acknowledgment
The Country Day School wishes to recognize and acknowledge the land on which the school operates. Our nearest Indigenous Nations are now the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation and the Chippewas of Georgina Island. The Dish with One Spoon Wampum covenant is often cited as an example of the shared responsibility for caring for these lands among the Huron-Wendat, Anishinaabe and Haudenosaunee peoples who would call these their traditional territories. CDS respects the relationship with these lands and recognizes that our connection to this land can be strengthened by our continued relationship with all First Nations, by acknowledging our shared responsibility to respect and care for the land and waters for future generations.
School Information
Junior, Middle and Senior Schools
13415 Dufferin Street, King, Ontario L7B 1K5
(905) 833-1220
communications@cds.on.ca
admissions@cds.on.ca
Founded in 1972, The Country Day School is a co-educational private school offering programs in JK-12 and located on 100 acres north of Toronto in King.
13415 Dufferin Street, King, Ontario L7B 1K5
(905) 833-1220
communications@cds.on.ca
admissions@cds.on.ca
Founded in 1972, The Country Day School is a co-educational private school offering programs in JK-12 and located on 100 acres north of Toronto in King.
