Glen Shatford with Children and Youth Opporunities Minister Melanie Wight and Premier Greg Selinger (Photo courtesy of Glen Shatford).

 

A gr.12 RD Parker student was recently recognized by Premier Greg Selinger, for his work in healthy living.

 

Glen Shatford was 1 of 10, gr.12 students to receive a medal and a $500 bursary during the Premier’s Healthy Living Award for Youth ceremony. The award recognizes students for their work in areas such as active living and healthy eating.

 

Glen says his work has revolved around mental health:

"I participate in a lot of mental health activities, raising awareness about mental health and trying to defeat the stigma surrounding it. I’m part of the Hope North Suicide Prevention Committee, which is a committee here based in Thompson that tries to put on events such as the Defeat Depression walk or the Hope Summit that we have every year".

 

Glen says he became involved in the cause after his own experiences:

"From a personal aspect I fell victim to the stigma and I didn’t seek help because I felt that I was different, so if there is anything I can do to help just one person not feel the way I did for so long, then it makes it all worth it".

 

Glen says he’s focused on school right now, and hopes to go onto university and eventually become a physiatrist.