What does The Friendship Bench mean to the Sheridan Community?
The Sheridan College community reflects on the importance of mental health awareness through The Friendship Bench initiative.
According to the Sheridan College website, The Friendship Bench is meant to encourage face-to-face communication in order to de-stigmatize the idea that mental illness should not be talked about.
Anne Carpenter, a Sheridan Student (who would like to remain anonymous for safety reasons), appreciates the meaning behind The Friendship Bench. She says that it is important to bring attention to the stigma against mental health.
Carpenter says that mental illness has had a huge affect on her life.
"I was dealing with a manipulative ex-boyfriend who blamed me for his suicidal thoughts. This in turn, affected my own mental health," says Carpenter.
She encourages students to know that they are not alone. Carpenter thinks that this bench will allow students to make the connections that they feel are missing.
"I strongly believe in the importance of removing the stigma around mental health. It holds a meaning of acceptance and friendliness. Personally, I think those are two very strong movements," says Carpenter.
Marissa Amoroso, senior manager of Sheridan's Health and Counselling services, is an advocate who has worked with mental health and addictions in the Oakville community.
Amoroso says that it is important for students to be aware of their own mental health. She also believes that academic success is more likely when students learn positive habits.
"Every time I walk by the bench, there is someone using it. It is a visual reminder that we care. The bench is a reminder for students to connect, take a break, and actually stop what they are doing," says Amoroso.
Amoroso says that Sheridan College is one of the only schools in the province that has the wait time of under a week to speak with a professional.
"Our goal at Sheridan is to get to students before a crisis occurs. We are not only concerned with right now, we are concerned with forever," says Amoroso.
According to Amoroso, the future of mental health awareness at Sheridan is looking brighter. "I would like us to move towards mental health promotion and looking at overall wellness," she says.