Lieutenant Governor of Saskatchewan Russ Mirasty shared stories and experiences while speaking at the 8th Post Secondary Leadership Symposium for Prince Albert and the North in P.A. on Jan. 17, 2024. (Logan Lehmann/paNOW Staff)

By Logan Lehmann

Talking Mental Health

Symposium highlights mental health, leadership for post-secondary students in P.A. and the North

Jan 17, 2024 | 5:25 PM

Mental health was the focus at the E.A. Rawlinson Centre for the Arts on Wednesday afternoon.

Hundreds of students from Grade 12 and post-secondary schools filled the auditorium in Prince Albert’s downtown to address mental health and to discuss the different supports available.

Bonnie Novotny was a member of the planning committee for the event and explained the importance of holding an event like the Post Secondary Leadership Symposium.

“When we look at the students that are in the institutions, those are our future leaders – the next generation so we need to make sure we’re supporting them in a good way,” she said.

“[There are] presentations on different factors and issues that may be affecting students in their post-secondary programs, issues like mental health and other social factors.”

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The eighth meeting featured some special guest speakers, including the Manager of Acute Mental Health for the Sask. Health Authority Adam Pearson, Intergenerational Residential School Trauma Specialist and First Nations Child Advocate Deanna Ledoux, and Lieutenant Governor of Saskatchewan His Honourable Russ Mirasty.

Lieutenant Governor of Saskatchewan Russ Mirasty is gifted a star blanket following his speech at the 8th Post Secondary Leadership Symposium for Prince Albert and the North on Jan. 17, 2024. (Logan Lehmann/paNOW Staff)

Novotny said it was great to have the guest speakers come in and share their stories, as well as some wisdom and advice.

“It was fantastic to have that calibre of presenters to be working with our students and giving them that message of hope,” she said.

She added that January and February are often considered as the most difficult months for mental health as the shorter days and colder temperatures are often attributed to seasonal depression, which can lead to additional pressure and stress.

January and February are also the peak months for Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), which affects 0.5 to 3 percent of the general population.

Mental health services in Saskatchewan can be found by clicking here.

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loganc.lehmann@pattisonmedia.com