Myles Mattila has become the first of what Northern Health hopes will be a growing galaxy of Community Health Stars.
The 15-year-old Prince George resident received the accolade Wednesday during a media event at University Hospital of Northern British Columbia held to promote the program and acknowledge Mattila's advocacy work in the area of mental health.
Specifically, Mattila has partnered with mindcheck.ca to deliver school presentations on the issue.
Mattila took up the cause after a friend ran into mental distress and he did not know where to find help. Then one day, Mattila read a newspaper story about the two-year anniversary of Vancouver Canuck Rick Rypien's suicide and the impact his loss had on teammate Kevin Bieska.
In the story, Bieksa talked about the Raise-it-4-Ryp golf tournament, a charity event that he hosts in honour of Rypien, which raised $23,000 dollars for mindcheck.ca. It struck a chord with Mattila because he plays for the Cariboo Cougars in the B.C. Hockey Major Midget League and is a ninth round draft pick of the Western Hockey League's Vancouver Giants.
Mattila's next step was to visit mindcheck.ca and he was impressed.
"I was surprised to see how many great things it had to offer," Mattila said.
The website - a partnership between Fraser Health, B.C. Mental Health and Substance Services, and the Provincial Health Services Authority - addresses mental health in a manner that is accessible for youth.
It features a broad range of topics, including depression, mood and anxiety issues; coping with stress, alcohol and substance misuse; body image, eating disorders, and more.
It also offers a range of resources like quizzes, stories, tips, and helpful contact information, and has links for friends and family members of youth who are suffering from mental illness and would like to learn more.
"My goal is to make as many people as possible aware of mindcheck," Mattila said. "I am encouraging everyone, especially youth, to talk about the subject and know they are not alone."
Mattila's efforts earned praise from Prince George-Mackenzie MLA Mike Morris.
"It shows great leadership by doing what he's done," Morris said.
Mattila was also held up as an example of what Northern Health is looking for as it continues to search for more Community Health Stars to add to its fledgling constellation, namely members of northern communities who are doing exceptional work, on their own time, to spread the message of personal health and wellness.
Each month a person will be selected for the designation. They will win a Northern Health fit kit in addition to being highlighted in their local communities and on the Northern Health Matters blog.
To nominate someone, go to northernhealth.ca.
