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The following article was originally published in the GDI Communicator Vol. 17 Issue 12, December 2023. The Communicator is a monthly internal newsletter intended to celebrate the achievements of the management and staff of the Gabriel Dumont Institute. You can find the archive of previous issues in the Virtual Museum of Métis History and Culture.

Now more than ever, making mental health a priority has become crucial. Statistics Canada reported that over 5 million Canadians aged 15 and older met the criteria for a mood, anxiety, or substance use disorder in 2022, with half of them not speaking with a healthcare professional about their mental health in the past year (Stephenson, 2023).

What can we do to increase mental health awareness and emphasize the importance of caring for our mental well-being? Dumont Technical Institute has developed a Mental Health Initiative for our students. This includes distributing mental health support pamphlets filled with valuable information and ideas on where and how to seek support. Additionally, mental health wellness boards have been installed throughout our campuses, emphasizing that you and your mental health matter. Our goal is to remind students they are not alone and that we are here to support them. While we may not have all the answers, we are committed to listening and guiding students toward the appropriate resources. Open communication, active listening, and compassion can make a significant difference.

Another resource available to our students is Keep.meSAFE, a mental health program that offers early intervention and 24/7 access to support. It helps students manage their mental health, enabling them to participate fully in academic life and complete their studies. Students can text or call at any time to speak with a certified counsellor.

We have also recently promoted Embracing Life, a suicide prevention initiative. Embracing Life features a free app that allows students to journal, perform daily check-ins, create a safe space, and access resources around the clock. The app includes all Saskatchewan emergency numbers for students in need of urgent intervention.

Embracing Life has provided us with wallet cards displaying Saskatchewan emergency numbers and suicide prevention stickers. These stickers can be placed on doors, binders, laptops, water bottles, etc., to raise awareness that individuals with a sticker are open to discussing mental health struggles. This helps students identify who they can turn to, whether it's their Program Support Facilitator, Instructor, fellow student, or anyone displaying a sticker.

Step by step, we will continue working towards normalizing conversations about mental health and expanding our support because you and your mental health matter.

GDI is a Saskatchewan-based educational, employment, and cultural institute serving Métis communities across the province.