Students at École Secondaire Cochrane High School took part in the Mental Health Carousel 2026 this May, an event designed to connect local youth directly with community resources and support services.
The event, themed Connecting for Wellbeing, invited various organizations to set up information booths for students. These groups provide prevention and treatment services specifically for individuals 19 years old and younger. By meeting with these agencies face-to-face, students at the Cochrane school are building a clearer understanding of the mental health tools available to them.
This initiative is a core part of the mental health strategy managed by the District School Board Ontario North East, which oversees schools across a large region from Hearst to Temagami. According to the school board, the strategy aims to bolster student wellbeing and academic success by making necessary resources more accessible.
Local agencies participating in such events often include the Canadian Mental Health Association Cochrane-Timiskaming Branch, which provides a range of counselling and addiction services, and North Eastern Ontario Family and Children’s Services, which serves as the lead agency for child and youth mental health in the area.
The Mental Health Carousel is a recurring effort within the school board, with similar events held at other local schools in past years. Principal Kevin McRae and the staff at the Cochrane high school continue to prioritize these opportunities to help students navigate their mental health needs.
