TakingITGlobal

64 # R I S I N G Y O U T H C O M M U N I T Y I M P A C T V O L . 2 "I have always struggled with mental health myself, specifically disability-related (i.e. visual anxiety), but it got so much worse during the pandemic," reflected Emilee Schevers. "People with disabilities were further isolated and the world was changing in inaccessible ways that further impacted our mental health." Knowing that she was not the only one feeling this way, Emilee began to ask herself how she might be able to give herself something to look forward to, while also helping others. That's when she came up with the idea for "Be Well Boxes". Be Well Boxes are self-care boxes with Brighter Days with "Be Well Boxes" Emilee Schevers I have always struggled with mental health myself, specifically disability- related (i.e. visual anxiety), but it got so much worse during the pandemic... fun goodies intended to alleviate everyday stresses and promote mental health. Emilee sent 26 boxes across the country to youth between the ages of 12-30 who were struggling with mental health. She did this to give some reprieve and to show them that they were not alone in their struggles. "The impact that this project had on youth who were struggling mentally was greater than anything I had expected," she shared. "I had so many positive messages after the project was completed about how much the individuals benefited from the box and got so many pictures of them smiling while they opened it." A special thank you to CNIB (Ontario) for sharing the #RisingYouth grant opportunity with Emilee to make this project possible. An Instagram post made by Emilee to share more about her project!

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