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36 # 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 S truggling with her mental health and not being able to access the support that she needed in her community, Shirley Joubert took things into her own hands. "I really needed help, and I kept trying to reach out, but the downside to living in New Brunswick is that the province is notoriously horrible for its social services," she explains. "As of this year, the wait time for an appointment at a therapist's office is three years. It was impossible for me and my peers to get help, and statistics were showing that over a third of the students in the school have depression and anxiety." Knowing all of this, Shirley set off to create a space in her school where students could get away and spend time in when they were feeling overwhelmed. "What the school needed was a place for struggling students that could be open for the entire school day," Shirley continues. "We needed a space that gave kids access to resources they wouldn't otherwise have access to, like therapeutic activities and a safe environment to deal with their struggles." Finding a space in her school's guidance area, Shirley furnished it with comfortable chairs, a table, many plants, colouring activities and sensory fidget toys. She even created an accessible website full of resources and ideas to foster better mental health. Her efforts have been a huge success causing ripple effects all throughout her school. "The safe space is in use practically every day, and sometimes there are lines for it because it's been so helpful for students," Shirley shares. "We're currently trying to open up more spaces around the school to reduce the lines, and many people have gotten involved and started doing similar projects. One of our newly elected student council members has started trying to set up a similar space as a prayer room for Muslim students, and one of our guidance counsellors is trying to set up an Indigenous safe space that follows the layout the original chill space has taken on. It's a really exciting time, and everyone has been so supportive and welcoming!" Creating Calm and Comfort at School Shirley Joubert I really needed help, and I kept trying to reach out... A special thank you to Moncton High School (MHS) for sharing the #RisingYouth grant opportunity with Shirley to make this project possible.

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