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Senior School

Wellness Presentation

On January 31, over 130 members of the SHS community attended the wellness presentation given by retired Headmaster Hal Hannaford and his wife, author Susan Doherty.
 
The presentation, "Illness, Wellness, Resilience, and Survival - The Interconnectedness of Mental Illness and Physical Illness" began with a recording of a young woman's voice saying that her father "suffers from manic depression, but he suffers in anonymity." The voice was that of Alisse Hannaford, as she described her father's compulsive behaviour. In the talk that followed, Hal and Susan revealed their story of coping with Hal's mental health, Susan's battle with grave illness, and the relief they found through love, support and acceptance.
 
The Hannaford-Doherty presentation was first given at the 2019 International Boys' Schools Coalition conference in Montreal hosted by Selwyn House School. Their inspirational presentation has been adapted over time but continues to give the constant message that there is strength in vulnerability and that leaning on one another for support is important because we all need to take care of our mental and physical health. "Hal and Susan's Takeaways" lists ten ways to be mindful about wellness.
 
Mental health and wellness efforts continue at Selwyn House School with the upcoming Known and Loved Gala that will be taking place on April 27. The event supports the Hannaford/Doherty Mental Health & Wellness Fund, the goal of which is to honour Hal and Susan's legacy of caring at Selwyn House School, where every boy is "Known and Loved".
 
Many mental health issues begin in childhood and adolescence, however, they can be overlooked in children and adolescents. Only one in five children who need mental health services receive them. The Hannaford/Doherty Mental Health & Wellness Fund will provide training and certification by Mental Health First Aid Canada each year to Selwyn House teachers and staff to help identify and address mental health problems when they first become apparent. Early intervention can help to prevent problems from becoming worse.
 
Please join the Selwyn House School community at the Known and Loved Gala or consider supporting the Hannaford/Doherty Mental Health & Wellness Fund directly.


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