Throughout September, our Junior Councillors have been raising awareness around mental health and the importance of looking out for one another.
Mental health is not always an easy topic to speak about, but creating space for honest conversations, compassion and support is important. As part of their awareness initiative, our Junior Councillors, Kyra Gomes (Grade 11) and Orifha Mavhungu (Grade 11) shared a thoughtful message with the community, encouraging us to check in with those around us and more importantly, to truly listen.
A Message from Our Junior Councillors
“A difficult conversation to have. But it’s one we need to have.
It’s not only about remembering the lives we’ve lost. It’s about the people who are still here – people who might be struggling silently, even when they look completely fine.
So this September, we encourage you to do more than just ask someone, ‘How are you?’ Ask again. Ask, ‘Are you actually okay?’ And when they answer, listen.
You don’t need to have the perfect words or know how to fix everything. Sometimes, just being there can remind someone that they don’t have to carry everything alone.
Let’s choose kindness. Let’s choose connection. And most importantly, let’s choose to notice each other.”
— Kyra Gomes and Orifha Mavhungu – Grade 11
Their message is a reminder that support can begin with something as simple as noticing, asking and listening.
While September provided an opportunity to focus on mental health awareness, the responsibility to care for one another extends throughout the year. May we continue to build a community where our students feel seen, heard and supported and where kindness and connection remain part of how we care for one another at Marist Brothers Linmeyer.