Open Arms

A great message from Strathcona-Tweedsmuir School on this day. For more information on a conversation, please visit our website!

STS recognizes that mental health is a prevalent topic among today's youth. Through initiatives such as "Open Arms Week", we are working together to educate and eliminate the stigma of mental health by encouraging our students to take the pledge to start a conversation. On day, we remind our community to use the START acronym to facilitate these important conversations:

"S" - Start by checking in and reaching out and allow your peers to
"T" - Talk without interruption
"A" - Acknowledge the struggles they are facing
"R" - Reassure your peer of your support for them and that they are not alone
"T" - take the next steps by seeking additional support and resources.

Open Arms - One Year Later

Last July, our team began a journey with one goal; to start a conversation. A year later, we couldn’t be more proud of the courage we have seen across Canada. We knew this would not be an easy conversation, and yet, across Canada we have seen high school and University students stand up to national stigma. We have stood up together by starting conversations, asking how our families and friends are doing and being more aware of our own well-beings.

Our journey has been through ups and downs this year but through it all, we have been humbled by the incredible support we have witnessed at our events. From our first annual 5 Days 5 Steps event in March to our partnership with the Ismaili Community to our University specific updates, we are so proud to be a small part of this nationwide movement. We want to take the opportunity to thank those who supported us and for you to know that we are always here.

Looking to the future, here at Open Arms we are excited for a event-filled calendar in front of us. We have some very exciting announcements coming very soon and are excited to share new and awesome ways to start conversations!

For now, thank you. And remember, a conversation can change a life.

Scott and Myles

Co-Founders and Executive Directors