Supporting Student Well-Being with Guest Speaker Mike Shoreman

Mike Shoreman visited Meadowcrest and Julie Payette Public Schools on September 8, 2022 to talk to students about overcoming obstacles

The Durham District School Board (DDSB) is committed to supporting student well-being and mental health at all levels of the organization and in individual classrooms.

To encourage students to explore various help strategies, the 5 W’s resource was developed by a working group of the 2021-2022 DDSB Student Senate, to reinforce the importance of student mental health and well-being.

Mike Shoreman visited Meadowcrest and Julie Payette Public Schools on September 8, 2022 to talk to students about overcoming obstacles

The 5 W’s are:

  • WHAT is ‘help’ and what does finding help look like?
  • WHO can I reach out to for help?
  • WHERE can I go for help?
  • WHEN should I reach out for help or encourage someone else to?
  • WHY should I reach out for help in times of need?

Mike Shoreman visited Meadowcrest and Julie Payette Public Schools on September 8, 2022 to talk to students about overcoming obstacles placed in front of us, the importance of reaching out in times of need, and having access to resources to help those struggling with mental health navigate it in a safe space. Mike is an athlete, speaker, author, youth mental health advocate, and the first Canadian with disabilities to cross all five Great Lakes. His journey across the Great Lakes raised funds for children and youth in crisis and raised awareness about mental health and persons with disabilities.

 Shoreman’s inspiration comes from overcoming his own challenges and adversity. Mike was diagnosed with Ramsey Hunt Syndrome in 2018, which is a neurological condition that affects the nervous system and causes a loss in mobility and speech. Shoreman explained his experience by saying, “I remember in my mental health journey, I felt very alone, and I think a lot of people do. I don’t ever want kids to feel like how I felt.”

Shoreman has been inspiring students across the GTA, including the DDSB with his ‘I AM a Leader’ program. He spoke to many students on the ways they can overcome obstacles and challenges and become leaders. Through his inspirational talks he emphasizes the importance and value of teamwork, while highlighting mental health and disability inclusion, sharing words of wisdom, gained through his lived experiences and challenging students to advocate for themselves and their peers.

Mike shared with students of all ages at various schools across the Durham Region, “what keeps me motivated now is knowing that I did this [crossing all five Great Lakes] for the millions of Canadians who suffer from anxiety, stress, depression and worse. I did this for young Canadians to put mental health programs in schools in our community and across the country.”

Thank you to Michael Shoreman for sharing the importance of mental health with the students of DDSB.

SOURCE DDSB

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