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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Friday, May 10, 2013 | 8 #Ridgestrong tunes in to Mental Health Week by Dominik Kurek Oakville Beaver Staff It's likely most Iroquois Ridge High School students are well aware of the prevalence and effects of mental illness. But on Tuesday, May 7, they received a strong reminder through powerful words from brave classmates and a high-profile Canadian about their own struggles with depression, anxiety and other mental illnesses. The Glenashton Road high school hosted its second Mental Health Awareness assembly in recent weeks -- this one coinciding with Men- tal Health Awareness Week (May 6-12). Iroquois Ridge is well-known for its mental health initiatives headed by students and staff. The latest effort, #Ridgestrong, came from the Safe School Action Team. One speaker, a Grade 11 student, told the gathering she began her struggle with depression and anxiety in Grade 6 as a shy and insecure student who struggled to get out of bed each morning. Despite some promising therapy, life deteriorated for her by Grade 7. Two weeks into the school year, she was in hospital as a result of a medical condition and The Regional Municipality of Halton NOTICE OF HALTON REGION'S 2013 COMPREHENSIVE EMPLOYMENT SURVEY Halton Region will be conducting its Annual Comprehensive Employment Survey in 2013. The data collected is vital for monitoring the Region's economic health, as well as aiding in policy and decision making. It is essential background information for forecasting and planning the Region's infrastructure and services for the residents and businesses of Halton. Between May and September 2013, a team of surveyors from the Region's Planning Services Division will visit each and every business establishment in Halton to gather information about the number of employees working at each location and the type of employment that is taking place there. The surveyors will wear a Halton Region shirt and hat, each bearing the Halton Region Logo, as well as a visible photo ID card collected from the survey will be grouped together and only be released to the public as statistical highlights of economic and employment patterns and trends. Individual The survey will be shared with our Local Municipalities and used for municipal related planning purposes. Our intent is to publish an Employment Survey Bulletin which will highlight overall employment patterns and trends in early 2014. The success of this important survey depends upon the assistance and co-operation of the Region's business community. If you have any questions or comments regarding the survey, please contact Planning Services at 905-825-6000 ext. 7206. the steroid-based medication she received made her gain weight. Then teasing and bullying began at school and her depression heightened. By Grade 8, she was questioning why she was alive. "I caused people so much pain in my life. Why should that continue?" she recalled. The young girl attempted suicide, was taken to hospital and referred to a psychiatrist. "I went home confused, upset, disgusted and overwhelmed. I couldn't figure out how I was going to get through the next month," she said. The appointment was "three long weeks later." The youth received medication to reduce depression symptoms and tools to help her cope. "It isn't something that you can fix or that anyone would wish they had. It is the hardest thing I've had to deal with and it's probably for my whole life," said the student. Depression, she said, takes away a person's ability to seek out happiness and it makes them feel tired and angry. It causes a person to lose passion for the things they love and it takes away a person's concentration. "Even today, in spite of therapy, I struggle to be able to tell you what I have," she said. "My biggest piece of advice for people who are suffering from depression is find something that works for you." The student said her coping mechanism is listening to music. And, she has supportive friends who listen. Her advice for those who try to support people suffering from depression? "You don't have to solve a person's problem, you just have to be there for them, even by saying, `Hi'. "Don't ever tell them that things could be worse because they have a good life and have no reason to be unhappy." This makes a person feel worse, she said. Students also heard from Canadian women's ice hockey team goalie Kendra Fisher about her long and silent struggle with depression -- one that kept her from fulfilling her dream of competing at the Olympics. Students were encouraged to tweet about topics that resonated with them during the mental health week assembly at Iroquois Ridge High School on Tuesday. photo by Nikki Wesley ­ Oakville Beaver (Follow on Twitter @halton_photog) While she was at Team Canada tryouts, her condition, comprised of severe anxiety disorder, severe panic attacks, depression and agoraphobia, became so crippling, she had to leave the national program. Fisher said she spoke with psychologists and therapists, but avoided the problem, believing she was just feeling off. However, things became so bad, the athlete stopped eating and lost weight. She also would stay curled on the floor of her apartment and had close friends babysit her constantly. In fact, when they went to the bathroom, she would follow them and sit outside the door, fearing what might happen if she was left alone. For a decade, Fisher said she struggled through her condition, always in silence, only allowing a close circle of people to know of it. She eventually began to feel better once she started taking control of her life. Fisher was given medications that reduced her symptoms. She stated cognitive behavioural therapy, which helped her control how she behaved, not how she felt, was helpful for her see Fisher on p.12 Halton Region's popular Spring Compost Give Away is back Starting Monday, May 6 to Saturday, May 11, residents are invited to pick up compost free of charge. Residents must bring their own bags or containers (maximum seven per household) and a shovel in order to bag their own compost. The event takes place at the Halton Waste Management Site, Gary Carr 5400 Regional Road 25 in Milton between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Residents Regional Chair are encouraged to bring a non-perishable food item or cash donation, to be distributed to Halton-area food banks. For more information, access Halton by dialing 311 or visit www.halton.ca/waste. Halton Regional Meeting Schedule May 21 May 22 9:30 a.m. Health & Social Services Cttee. 9:30 a.m. Planning & Public Works Cttee. 1:30 p.m. Admin & Finance Cttee. Meetings can be viewed at www.halton.ca/meetings ESTATE AUCTION Outstanding estate auction from several local estates and private individuals *To include a large Beswick Horse Collection* Good selection of antique and contemporary furnishings - Bedroom furnishings ­ Dining room furnishings - Occasional furnishings, Writing table, Bookcase Secretary, slant top desk, assorted small tables, Tall Case Clock, Wash Stand, Bonnet Chest, large gold framed mirror, Tea cart, selection of original artwork, Royal Doulton Figurines, Beswick "English Country Folk" figurine collection, Beswick/Doulton "Dickens" Series Mugs, Moorcroft vase, Shelley tea set, Coalport Dinner service, 2 great Silverware chest sets, assorted silver plate, Collector books, Leather Couch, Pair of Herman Miller Chairs, Patio Furniture, Lawn Mower, weed trimmer, Snow Blower, BBQ and patio heater, Garden tools etc., 2 Spools of "smart home" Wiring (enough for an entire home), (New) "Dumb Waiter" Kit, (New) Commercial S.S. ice makers and S.S. dish washer, A clean offering and a fun sale. Tuesday May 14/2013 at 5:30 pm. - Preview from 4:30 pm At The King's Court Banquet Hall (1159 King Rd., Burlington) Updated photos will be posted May12 @ www.auctioneersassociation.ca Cash, Visa, Mc, Debit, 10% buyer's premium All Items Sell "AS IS" and must be removed same day May 29 9:30 a.m. Regional Council Please contact us, as soon as possible, if you have any accessibility needs at Halton Region events or meetings. 09/100513 SHAFER AUCTION CO. LTD. 905-634-6300 Information @ shaferauction.com or auctioneersassociation.ca