EIPS Schools Unmask Positive Relationship-Building Discussions this Mental Health Week

Lamont High has themed each day of their Mental Health Week activities, kicking off their events with Mindful Monday which included a sweet treat.

Sherwood Park, AB. — Staff and students throughout Elk Island Public Schools (EIPS) are exploring positive relationship-building this Mental Health Week, which runs May 5-11. The 2025 theme: Unmasking Mental Health. “When a person has good mental health, they’re a happier, better version of themselves,” says Allie Maki, a Grade 7 student at Lamont High. “They’re able to focus more on their work, they communicate better with the people around them and they’re more inclined to go out of their comfort zone to try new things. They also take proper care of themselves, so they have better overall health, physically and mentally.”

The week’s theme focuses on embracing honesty and vulnerability to open the door to deeper connections and the mental health benefits that come with it. Students will learn about community-based mental health care champions, programs and communities and how mental health care can be expressed and nurtured, such as through art, music and dance.

Throughout the week, various activities are taking place in schools across the Division. Similar to other schools, Lamont High has themed each day in honour of Mental Health Week:

Mindful Monday: Guided mindfulness activity in homeroom classes.
Thoughtful Tuesday: Students submit shout-outs to be read over announcements.
Wellness Wednesday: Yoga at lunchtime.
Transparent Thursday: Whole school makes masks, where students and staff discuss the idea of “unmasking” and share what they feel underneath the surface.
Feel Good Friday: Photo booth set up for use throughout the day.

Once again, many schools are participating in the “Hats On! for Mental Health Day” initiative taking place May 7. Participating schools will relax their hat rules and encourage students and staff to wear hats to school to raise awareness of the importance of good mental health.

Schools are also participating in Recovery Alberta’s initiative Move Your Mood. The goal is to increase awareness on the importance of mental health and how to improve mental health through healthy lifestyles practices. Schools are encouraged to have students read daily messages to the entire school and share one way to incorporate a healthy choice each day.

Other Mental Health Week activities include daily announcements, art projects, regulation strategies, community organization presentations, sidewalk chalk messages, mental health walks, book read-alouds, wall displays, wellness assemblies, staff events, the University of South Carolina’s ice bucket challenge and more.

Maki also has activities she does personally to benefit her mental health. “It’s important to look for healthy strategies to help with your mental health,” adds Maki. “When I’m struggling, I talk to people I’m close with about it, and sometimes I write down what’s happening and what I can do about it. Doing things that take my mind off it for a little bit can make me feel better, such as drawing in my sketchbook, writing fictional stories about positive things or using fidget toys. Exercising, or just moving around like going on a walk, can help a lot too.”

In addition to school activities, students and staff can also share messages about their personal journey on various social media platforms using the hashtags #UnmaskingMentalHealth and #MentalHealthWeek.

Elk Island Public Schools is one of Alberta’s largest school divisions, serving approximately 17,950 students in 42 schools. We are proud to be an integral part of our communities, including Sherwood Park, Fort Saskatchewan, Vegreville, Strathcona and Lamont counties, and the western portion of the County of Minburn.

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For more information, media can contact:
Laura McNabb, Director, Communication Services, EIPS 780-417-8204 cell 780-405-4902