Students pack Aultsville Theatre during Mental Illness Awareness Week

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Cornwall’s Aultsville Theatre saw about 500 local secondary students participate in an interactive inaugural event for Mental Illness Awareness Week (MIAW) on Wednesday.

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While students may typically pack the stately theatre to take in a play or musical performance, Wednesday’s event broke the mould and centred around mental health education, personal stories, and participation in learning exercises. Party music and glow sticks were passed out to get the students excited and involved. This year, MIAW runs from Oct. 5-11.

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Chantal Tessier, Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Champlain East program manager of education and volunteers, said the organization would typically host a march with students. Since the walk often led to the civic complex, which is currently still under construction, this year’s event took on an exciting new format.

“The march was really well received by students because they have so much energy so we weren’t sure how that was going to play out in a theatre setting,” said Tessier. “But we have some interactive quizzes, games, and have got the opportunity for students to get up and cheer, so I think that really helps.”

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Tessier praised CHMA Champlain East mental health promoter Angele D’Alessio and Aultsville Theatre staff members for their hard work to make the event a success. She also thanked the City of Cornwall for supporting the initiative through the municipal grant program.

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Cornwall Mayor Justin Towndale spoke candidly with students, sharing that some days he doesn’t feel his best mentally, and that he feels the pressure of his career.

“There’s some days where online trolls and bullies get to me. That happens … it happens to everybody,” he said. “We need to admit to ourselves, first and foremost, to say you’re not OK, and it’s important to ask for help. When you’re talking to your friends, to your family, take a moment if you need it … and be there for someone else who may need that ear. If we all work together and help each other, we will all be better together.”

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CMHA volunteer Thomas Hickey and keynote speaker from Jack.org Mercy Ajibola shared their personal stories of struggling with mental health during high school, and how finding the appropriate supports helped them to get better.

“I started to be anxious when I was about 11 or 12,” said Hickey. “It was a really gradual and slow process.”

Hickey admitted he was bullied and became anxious about going to school. He started to skip class periodically and would feel relieved after taking day off. The habit of avoiding his problems continued until he missed an entire month of school.

It was at this point his family asked him if he wanted to get help.

“I was terrified. I didn’t know what that meant, getting help … but I was most terrified of not knowing what was happening to me, not knowing how to control my own brain,” he said. “I knew I had to make the right choice.”

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Representatives from the Cornwall Youth Hub and the Cornwall Community Hospital spoke to students about free services available to them, how to reach out for help, and how to recognize signs of mental health struggles. Students also took part in games to guess mental health facts.

Through the games, statistics were shared with the students, including that almost one in four hospitalizations in Canada among youth aged five to 24 are for mental health reasons, and that 60 per cent of Canadians aged 18-24 who were polled in 2024 said they cannot afford the mental health care they need.

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