FREDERICTON, November 24th, 2016 — The week of November 28th to December 2nd 2016 will mark the 6th annual Dots NB / Partners For Youth Inc. Ring A Bell Campaign aimed at raising awareness on the mental health needs of children and youth and to support opportunities for conversations on positive mental health.
On November 28th, as part of the campaign kick-off event, MLAs throughout the province will be visiting schools in their ridings to speak to students and staff on the importance of this issue.
“Our government understands the importance of positive mental health,” said Education and Early Childhood Development Minister Brian Kenny. “We are happy to support the Ring A Bell Campaign which provides an excellent opportunity to raise awareness about the mental health needs of our children and youth and to start a dialogue about positive mental health.”
Over the course of the week-long campaign, mental health lesson plans, resources and conversations will be introduced in classrooms throughout New Brunswick. This effort will culminate on December 2nd at noon, at which time 70,000 students from kindergarten to grade 8 will be invited to take action on this important issue by ringing bells for one minute – this collective act is meant to draw attention to the importance of ensuring children’s mental health needs are met and that their voices are heard.
The Ring A Bell Campaign is coordinated jointly by Dots NB / Partners For Youth Inc., the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development, and Bell Aliant.
“Bell Aliant is very pleased to support the Ring A Bell Campaign again this year to help raise awareness and support for children’s mental health,” said Dan McKeen, Bell Senior Vice President and Vice Chair, Atlantic. “We are so proud of the impact our six-year partnership with Dots NB/Partners For Youth and the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development is having on the mental health of communities across New Brunswick.”
This year, Mgr-François-Bourgeois school in Shediac will host the official Ring a Bell ceremony on Friday, Dec. 2nd at noon and the Minister of Health, the Hon. Victor Boudreau will be participating by ringing bells and speaking with students and staff during a lunch time assembly.
For more information:
Cindy Miles, Dots NB / PFY Project Coordinator | 506.462.0323 ext. 2 | cmiles@partnersforyouth.ca Isabelle Boulet, Bell Aliant Corporate Affairs | 506.457.5554Kelly Cormier, Communications, Department of Education and Early Childhood Development | 506.444.5395
