Last year, the Town of Tecumseh’s Youth Advisory Committee received $15,000 for a mental wellness project, through the WindsorEssex Community Foundation (WECF) and RBC Future Launch Community Challenge. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the project was put on hold. The group is now able to launch their project virtually to support mental wellness for high school youth.

“The pandemic has had a major impact on mental health in our youth,” said Gary McNamara, Mayor of Tecumseh. “I commend our Youth Advisory Committee for such a unique project that is necessary in these times and pulling together a successful grant application to support the initiative.”

The ‘Mind Break Before Study Break’ initiative focuses on the health and mental wellness of high school youth, particularly dealing with stress during exam season and the emotions arising from the COVID-19 pandemic and isolation from their peers.

Students at Tecumseh’s local secondary schools - École secondaire catholique l'Essor and Tecumseh Vista Academy – will be receiving virtual presentations on stress and anxiety management by the Canadian Mental Health Association, the importance of proper nutrition and healthy snacking and the role of yoga and mindful breathing to deal with stress in their daily lives.

Additionally, 1,300 Wellness Bags will be distributed to the students filled with healthy snacks, tools for effective study habits, health resources materials, and small items that can be used to de-stress.

The goal of this wellness initiative is to help decrease anxiety which many teens experience when it comes to exams and in their daily lives by placing emphasis on the importance of their health and mental well-being. The program may also be beneficial in addressing the added stress associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.

-30-

Media Contact:

Lesley Reeves, Manager Strategic Initiatives, 519-735-2184 Ext. 150

Program Contact:                         

Christina Hebert, Manager Committee & Community Services, 519-735-2184 Ext. 143