Grade 8 MYP Students Host a Poetry Café and Art Gallery in Support of Mental Health Awareness

In their final year of the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme students complete their Community Project. This is a year-long initiative where students investigate and take action on an issue, they are passionate about. For two of our grade 8 students, Alex and Dhruvi, the issue they are passionate about is youth mental health. This is an ever-present issue, and one that we shed light on during Mental Health Awareness Month every May.

Through their research, Alex and Dhruvi learned that one of the best ways to improve mental well-being is through creative expression. In honour of the upcoming Mental Health Awareness Month, we held our first-ever MYP Poetry Café and Art Gallery, hosted by Alex and Dhruvi. This event highlighted the importance of creative expression and well-being by showcasing some of the many talented writers and artists in the MYP. This year’s MYP Poetry Café and Art Gallery will be in support of the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) and included poetry readings and a gallery walk.

Thank you to Alex and Dhruvi for planning and hosting the event, to Anna L., Brandon, Cindy, Daniel C., Eileen C., Emma, Farouk, Laiya, Nagasri, Shannon and Sukhpreet for contributing their artistic talents to the Gallery and for our poets: Aayan R., Aashna, Dina, Haaniya, Kayla, Kayin, Meala, Michelle, Perry, Shaan, Sabariha, Sharan and Srishti.

Through a civvies day for donations fundraiser, held on the same day, we were able to raise $214.00 which will be donated to CAMH in support of their Youth Mental Health Programs.