Youth council brings in mental health speaker for local high school students

Youth council brings in mental health speaker for local high school students

Motivational speaker David Houle gave the first of two presentations focused on youth mental health to local high school students at École secondaire Sieur-de-Coulonge in Mansfield on Thursday afternoon (February 15). Houle is a singer, dancer and choreographer who’s worked with Cirque du Soleil, as well as a host of big musical acts.

A second presentation in English was held at Pontiac High School the following day. The events were an initiative spearheaded by the MRC Pontiac Youth Council, and received the support of the council of mayors at their January sitting. They also fall within Quebec’s annual “Hooked on School Days“, a province-wide program to encourage academic success.

Houle’s speech focused on mental health and building good habits, with anecdotes from his personal struggles interspersed with music and dancing.

Houle said that the pandemic had a massive negative impact on student motivation and success, and while he applauded the efforts that educators have made to adapt to the circumstances, he said that there is still a lot of work to be done.

The full interview with Houle (6m40) is available here.