Mental health matters. That’s the theme for Saskatoon and area schools during Mental Health Week.

Youth Mental Health Education Coordinator with the Saskatoon Industry Education Council, Melanie Lavallee-Usselman, says students and teachers helped with coming up with the daily activities. Today is Walk It Off Wednesday, with over a thousand teachers and students taking part in person at the Saskatoon Soccer Centre and over 280 classrooms watching virtually. The keynote speaker is Michael Linklater, from Thunderchild First Nation, is ranked as one of Canada’s best 3-on-3 basketball players and he played for both the University of Saskatchewan Huskies and the Saskatchewan Rattlers. Linklater is also the founder of the international campaign Boys with Braids.

After that, everyone will head outside for a mindfulness walk. Lavallee-Usselman explains that being mindful is noticing what is around you through all of your senses, while also taking stock of what you are feeling. She hopes the activities learned will help the students throughout their year at school and through life.

The SIEC is a non-profit organization that works in collaboration with Saskatoon Public Schools, Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools, Prairie Spirit School Division and the Saskatoon Tribal Council. One of their programs is Mind Over Matters, which provides resources around mental health.