Healthy minds course hits the mark

WELL-RECEIVED: Campion College students Nathan Proctor and Luke Hurlstone were rapt with how their Fishing for a Solution workshops went at the college on Thursday. Mind coach Jason Whitelaw (pictured), from Tauranga, led Years 11,12 and 13 students through the sessions, which dealt with student mental health. Picture by Rebecca Grunwell

WORKSHOPS focused on student mental health for senior students at Campion College hit the mark, said organisers.

Nathan Proctor and Luke Hurlstone ran the Fishing for a Solution fishing competition fundraiser last year, and the proceeds from it paid for Thursday's workshops.

The interactive and educational workshops were compulsory for all the school's year 11, 12 and 13 students, and followed on from a teacher workshop earlier in the year.

“The workshop project is an opportunity to bring mental health into the spotlight,” Nathan said.

He and Luke were winners of the 2019 Lion Foundation Young Enterprise Scheme.

“The workshop was an introductory one to begin the school year.

“For the past three years we have focused on mental health as part of our school impact project that looks at ways of making a positive impact in the community.

“Luke and I thought it would be a good opportunity to get our students involved and continue that conversation.”

The wellbeing initiative was delivered by an “inspiring excellence” mind coach, Jason Whitelaw, from Mount Maunganui.

“We were lucky enough to attain his services and he provided a far-reaching impact,” Nathan said.

Over the past decade, Mr Whitelaw has worked with well over 50,000 youth and adults in the personal development and leadership field.

“The workshop was focused on developing a positive perspective and reframing the everyday stress of life,” Nathan said.

“We provided students with a greater understanding of their emotions, and the tools they can use to maintain a healthy mindset.”

He said they had received a great response from students and staff at Campion College.

“Both are eager to develop their knowledge surrounding mental wellbeing.

“Our end goal is to empower students to discuss mental illness and remove the stigma surrounding the issue, and we want teachers to be able to recognise what it looks like and put in place the correct referral procedures.”

The Campion workshop sessions were run as part of a trial phase, exploring mental health concepts within the classroom.

“We hope that this initiative will be supported by the community as we intend to refine our idea and eventually propose it to other local schools,” said Luke.

Nathan asked for people with any feedback or suggestions for Fishing for a Solution to contact Luke and him, at Campion College.