An Uplifting Morning at Vanier College

Last Tuesday I took the metro from McGill to Cote-Vertu to attend a special presentation by Danielle Viens. It was my first time at Vanier College and I was pleasantly surprised by what was to come...

Viens, who is the new public awareness coordinator at AMI Quebec, gave a 40-minute presentation on the subject of mental health.  The information session was directed to Cindy Bauer's Adaptation and Behaviour Problems students who were more than willing to participate in class discussions. 

Following Viens, we were graced by Sonia Teoli, who shared her personal struggles with mental health. Teoli, a middle-aged woman, elaborated on the importance of education in her recovery from suicide and depression.

It was great to see so many adolescents interested in the issues surrounding mental health. Open discussions like the one that took place in Bauer's class are the solution to eliminating the stigma!