It was in late November when Bayshore Broadcasting News told you about the Jack Project visiting Owen Sound to talk about student mental health.
The visit was a success and things have been moving along.
Bluewater District School Board trustees learned recently (DEC. 20) that the five participating schools are moving the program to the next level.
Student Success teacher at West Hill Secondary in Owen Sound Aimee Vereecke tells trustees all stakeholders are embracing the program.
The Jack Project is a suicide awareness program being piloted at Walkerton District, Saugeen District, OSCVI, West Hill and Grey Highlands this year.
The program is about 18-months old and the program in Bruce/Grey is part of a provincial pilot program.
Vereecke says mental health is not new to educators because they work with young people who at times, are struggling through life.
She says the message they need to get out to the students is that there is help for any mental health issue they may have and it can be turned around.,
Vereecke says they are planning a special open session on the Jack Project for some 200 Grade 12 students in February.
She says these are the students that could be in transition.
She says many are getting ready to leave home for further education or for a new job and it results in students leaving their comfort zones they’ve known all their lives.
Vereecke says it’s the reason that this student population was chosen.
