The Mental Health Foundation's (MHF) Information and Prevention Department was delighted to have the 6th graders of the St Dominic Elementary School visit MHF's candle room, as part of the school's art project, on the 12th and 13th of September in Cay Hill.The two 6th grade classes were each given a day for the visit where the students, along with their teachers, were welcomed by staff in the conference room and then escorted to the candle room. While there, they were given details about the mixing of materials, the candle's cool down process and the many different shapes and colors used for fabrication.
The students also received a brief presentation called "What is Mental Health?" which enlightened them on the subject and challenged their thoughts on mental health in relation to what they knew about physical health.
"The students were very active in the discussion and it was not surprising to hear that many of the students had some idea about what mental health was and what some signs of mental Illness look like. Many of them picked up these cues from what they saw in the community, heard from friends and even family members. The information we wanted to pass on to the students was that mental health is not about being sick but instead it is about being healthy and finding ways to maintain or improve that aspect of your health as young as they are" says a staff member.
Other activities during the 2- hour visit included candle quizzes and prizes in which the students actively participated. Each student and teacher was handed a candle as a reminder of their visit.
The Mental Health Foundation would like to thank the parents, teachers and principal of the St Dominic Elementary students for the opportunity to share information about mental health and MHF's candle room project.
If you are interested in having your school visit MHF's candle room or would like to purchase candles, you can contact the Mental Health Foundation at 5421677.
