A Day in Pink for Youth Mental Health
Each year on the second Wednesday of April, The International Day of Pink is celebrated. This year on April 8th hundreds of students wore pink to stand up against Bullying, Discrimination, Homophobia, Transphobia and Transmisogyny.
St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton joined the diversity celebration at Mohawk College by partnering with Mohawk College’s Mental Health in Motion team to reject stigma and raise awareness about mental health.
Registered Nurse, Rina Matsumura and Youth Mentor, Hannah Arnold from the Youth Wellness Centre were there to spread the message to youth that they are not alone and that there is a safe place where young people in Hamilton can reach out to access care for emerging mental health and addiction issues. “The goal of the Youth Wellness Centre is to improve the lives of young people who live with mental health and substance concerns in the Hamilton community,” shares Rina.
Young people told us that raising awareness for the new Centre required a new and different way of communicating – and as a result of their feedback and engagement, we have developed the #ReachOut campaign. We are asking people in the community to share what they think will happen when young people in #HamOnt #ReachOut by drawing or writing it and sharing on social media.
St. Joe’s Youth Wellness Centre is the first of-of-its kind program in the province dedicated to providing care in early intervention for young people aged 17 to 25. Learn more by visiting: www.reachouthamilton.ca
Follow St. Joe’s Youth Wellness Centre on Twitter and Instagram for updates.
Twitter: ReachOutHam
Instagram: ReachOutHamilton
Pictured Below: St. Joseph's Youth Wellness Centre Staff with Mohawk College's Mental Health in Motion Team on International Day of Pink at Mohawk College
Pictured Below: Mohawk College students #ReachOut on Day of Pink
Pictured Below: We're asking our community what they think will happen when young people in Hamilton #ReachOut