Healthy Minds Week 2022

Since 2013, the Winnipeg School Division has worked on recognizing and promoting mental health literacy among our students, staff, and community. This week, there is a variety of mental health and wellness activities for staff, students, caregivers, and the community which can be found at Winnipeg School Division website. 

Gordon Bell kicked off Healthy Minds Week with a visit from marathon runner Junel Malapad, on Tuesday, May 3rd. Junel plans to run across Manitoba from May 1 - 7 in support of and to highlight the work done by seven local organization: CMHA, KLINIC, WASAC, YMCA-YWCA of Winnipeg, Mood Disorders Association of Manitoba, Peer Connections MB and Returning to Spirit.  Posters with these organizations that Junel is running to bring awareness to as well as a poster of mental health and wellness resources were also given to each classroom teacher to share with their students.  Winnipeg School Division Resources cards will be distributed to students as well.

Junel Malapad's Marathons for Mental Health 490 began on May 1st from the Ontario border and will finish on the Saskatchewan border.  The run will cover a total of 490 km, which is roughly 1.5 marathons or 70 km each day!

Junel proved that one person can truly make a huge difference and spark others into doing so as well.  It was an honour to meet Junel in person and have him and his supporters visit our school.  Junel was presented with a handmade card and gift from student Marnie Muckle and given a Gordon Bell T-shirt by our school mascot.   Our Healthy Minds Specialist Fiona England as well as teacher Patrick Macdougall and representatives from the cross country team accompanied Junel on a portion of his run.

To prepare for Junel's visit, Gordon Bell students were involved in designing and printing T-shirts in Kelly Wright's Graphics class.  Students in Mirae Young's art class created posters with healthy minds messages on them.  One poster had "Trash Stigma" written on it and Junel ran through it on his entrance to the Gordon Bell Green Space.

Announcements have been made each day inviting students and staff to participate in various activities outdoors during their lunch hour.   This is an opportunity for all to come out and enjoy the sunshine and spend some time with others whether it be writing healthy mindset messages on the sidewalk to brighten up someone's day, skip rope or play a game of badminton.  On Friday, Journal prompts and practice gratitude activity booklets will be available in student services for any students who would like one.