Lyonel Doherty, Times Chronicle

Blown away.

That’s how I felt after interviewing several students at South Okanagan Secondary School recently.

There word “envy” also comes to mind. I wish I was taught what these youth are being taught today: resilience, confidence, and mental well-being – three attributes you need to survive in this world.

The students showed off their artwork and other projects, and very eloquently described them, making the link between their chosen medium and the emotions that guided them there.

They also had no qualms admitting to their struggles with mental health, a common denominator plaguing many youths and adults today.

The terms anxiety and depression were seldom used when I was growing up. The fact is there was too much stigma attached to them that people rarely admitted it was a problem.

There was no social media back then, and no online bullying, but there was also no understanding of or tolerance for psychological weakness. If you were stressed, you dealt with it on your own and didn’t talk about it. Today, it’s often the discussion at the dinner table.

I recall the mental anguish that was caused in our small town when the priest of the church was charged with sexually abusing children in his care. I had attended the same Sunday school as a child and grew up with the priest’s children.

Half-way through journalism school I was doing an apprenticeship at the local newspaper which, according to my father, was the perfect tool to hold this priest accountable by reporting on his alleged crimes. Being green, I was very hesitant and approached my editor about doing the story, but I don’t recall receiving much encouragement at the time. So I let the story fall into obscurity, which seemed to be acceptable back then because nobody talked about those taboo issues. My father said I had failed in my duty to report the news and hold the priest accountable. To this day I regret it.

Today, however, I am glad to hear students open up about their mental health, which is actually a good sign that they acknowledge the problem and are trying to deal with it.

Their academic skills are equally impressive; prompting a collective sigh of relief that the world is likely in good hands with these future leaders.

But there are those who are still falling through the cracks, which proves there is much work to be done to reach our most vulnerable in society.

One step in the right direction is the hiring of a new youth recreation outreach worker in Oliver.

Adam Wieherdt has been around the block a few times and has a ton of great ideas to involve the youth in the community. He says young people are tired of being talked down to and just want to be heard. The end goal is to break down the barriers and lessen the divide that separates youth and the adult community, while giving them a reason to stay in Oliver as opposed to catching the first plane out.

Wieherdt definitely has his work cut out for him, but he can’t do it alone; he needs everyone to pitch in and do their part.

Youth need to know that they are valued in the community and that their input is needed to shape the future.

For victims of sexual violence and those needing crisis support, call VictimLink BC at 1-800-563-0808