NSCC Students Kick Off Fundraiser for Mental Health

The students in the Continuing Care Assistant Program at NSCC are raising awareness and funds for mental health in Pictou County. The students in ‘A Group’ have decided that the proceeds from their efforts will go to the Aberdeen Health Foundation for the New Hope Program.

“We learned about the New Hope program through the personal story of Cora, one of its clients,” said Chelsie Cormier, speaking on behalf of her classmates. “After doing some research and speaking with Susan Malcolm at the Foundation we agreed that New Hope was a really good program. It felt like a good choice.”
New Hope is a community-based program, where mental health patients can access therapy and develop social skills and networks that build resilience. The program is supported in part by the Aberdeen Health Foundation’s Sandbar Mental Health Endowment.
Students will be setting up a booth each week on campus to draw attention to the topic and fundraise by selling baked goods and tickets on a special “Feel Good About Yourself” basket pulled together by the students with the help of a number of great local businesses.
“I was just so impressed with these students and their willingness to help with the conversation,” said Susan Malcolm of the Health Foundation. “It is good to know that our health care system will have staff like these students who have made the extra effort to understand and realize the impact mental illness can have on one’s life. I am also very grateful to Cora for sharing her story, it was a very brave thing to do and it has raised awareness just as we had hoped.”
The campaign kicked off on January 25, on Bell Let’s Talk Day and will run through to March 9. For more information on the campaign and how you can support the students call NSCC at (902) 752-2002. For more information on the New Hope Program visit: aberdeenhealthfoundation.com/sandbar.
 

Posted: January 27, 2017