Please be gentle with your heart.
“Mental health is not a destination, but a process. It’s about how you drive, not where you’re going.”
— Noam Shpancer (Clinical Psychologist)
Last Friday, FH Education had the pleasure of hosting a powerful and insightful youth mental health workshop led by Ms. Siya Zhang, a therapist from the Mental Health Mutual-Aid Hub (MHMH). The workshop offered students a deeper understanding of mental wellness, practical emotional regulation techniques, and a wealth of free resources to support their journey toward emotional balance and self-awareness.
01. Emotions Are Not Weakness, They Are Signals
Siya began with a calm yet powerful message:
“Our emotions are like waves — sometimes calm, sometimes stormy. We cannot stop the waves, but we can learn to surf.”
Mental health isn’t just about being “happy” or “sad.” It includes how we think, how we manage stress, and how we perceive life. Issues like anxiety, depression, lack of focus, and eating disorders are not signs of weakness, but real challenges faced by many young people today.
02. You Are Not Alone in What You Feel
Siya also helped students recognise common sources of stress in their lives:
💔 Academic Pressure: exam anxiety, time management, performance stress
💔 Social Challenges: relationship struggles, loneliness, social fear
💔 Family Conflicts: control issues, generational tension, financial difficulties
💔 Hidden Stress for International Students: cultural adjustment, language barriers, homesickness, financial burden
These stressors, when unaddressed, can deeply affect our mental health. But the key message is: you are not alone, and you are not powerless.
03. Managing for Your Emotions is a Skill
During the interactive portion, Siya introduced several simple and effective emotional regulation techniques, and many students joined in enthusiastically:
✨ Finger Breathing – Deep breathing guided by your fingers, great for easing anxiety
✨ 5-4-3-2-1 Grounding Exercise – A quick way to pull your focus back to the present
✨ Meditation with Music – Apps like Insight Timer can be calming and helpful
✨ Emotional Journaling – Track your daily stressors and emotional responses for better self-awareness
04. You Deserve to Be Heard and Supported
Siya generously shared free and accessible mental health resources, many of which are multilingual and youth-friendly:
🤝 Kids Help Phone – 1-800-668-6868 (24/7 mental health support)
🤝 BounceBack Ontario – Self-guided online mental wellness program
🤝 YouthLine – Peer support services for youth
🤝 MHMH – Youth Help Youth – Safe space for international students to connect and share
05. “I’m Here, Whenever You’re Ready to Talk”
After the session, the school arranged private one-on-one time between students and Ms. Siya Zhang. Many students opened up for the very first time in this safe, quiet, and supportive space — a moment of courage and healing.
To make the environment even more welcoming, we also prepared snacks and drinks, helping to create a cozy, relaxed atmosphere.
At FH, Mental Health Is Never an Afterthought
Mental health is not as simple as just “trying to be happy.”
It shapes our focus, motivation, relationships, and most importantly, our sense of self-worth.
At FH, we firmly believe that true education is not just about knowledge, but also about growing together. We will continue to offer more mental health events, creating space for every student to feel seen, supported, and safe.
If you’re feeling down or overwhelmed, please remember: you are not alone.
FH is here for you — always.
It’s okay to not be okay.
We’re here whenever you need us.