Health week

by Chelsea Lefler

St. Anne Catholic High School is hosting a health week to promote teen health in their school community.

According to recent studies from Statistics Canada, teens are struggling with mental and physical health problems and substance abuse.

Rosemary Lo Faso, principal at St. Anne High School, is putting on a health week with help from students and teachers from May 12-16.  She said she hopes to have 10 sessions during the week where the focus will be on healthy lifestyles, nutrition, mental, physical and spiritual health.  She said hopes during this week the students will build awareness, learn coping strategies and learn that there are different options available for healthy living.

According to Statistics Canada the number of teens aged 12-17 defined as obese or overweight increased by 50,000, between 2011-2012.

“We’re trying to promote and encourage mental and physical health as a wellbeing,” said Vice-Principal JoAnne Chiandussi.

Another Statistics Canada survey about mental health says that in 2012, 10.1 per cent of Canadians aged 15 and older reported using illegal substances and alcohol, as well as exhibiting one of six mental illnesses.  Also 5.4 per cent have mood disorders such as bipolar disorder, anxiety, depression and other personality disorders.  The survey also shows that in the same age group 4.9 million teens said they need mental health care. Twelve per cent of them said their needs were not met, while 67 per cent were.

“We tend to ignore these things and it’s important to start paying attention to our health,” said Lo Faso.  “Academically we’re a strong school but we need to focus on health as well.”