$390 Raised towards Child and Youth Mental Health Awareness

The Heal Your Arts Club (HYA) of Sentinel is a student club built around a simple but powerful belief: that art is a tool for mental health awareness, and that young people deserve spaces to talk about it. True to that mission, HYA hosted a Krispy Kreme donut fundraiser last November and raised $390 — every dollar of which is being donated to FamilySmart, a BC-based non-profit supporting families navigating child and youth mental health challenges.

For a club dedicated to spreading mental health awareness among youth, partnering with FamilySmart felt like a natural fit. FamilySmart offers free support to parents and caregivers of children and youth facing mental health and substance use challenges, with lived experience at the core of everything they do. They connect with over 10,000 young people and families every year, with no waitlists and no cost to families. 

Their trained Family Peer Support Workers offer emotional support, practical resources, and guidance in navigating the mental health system — the kind of real, accessible help that HYA hopes more young people and families in BC will know about.

The need is urgent. Approximately 150,000 children and youth in BC are affected by mental health challenges, yet only 25% are able to access services. HYA's donation is a small but meaningful step toward closing that gap.

HYA is grateful to everyone in the Sentinel community who supported the fundraiser. Together, we can keep the conversation around youth mental health going — one box of donuts, one painting, one conversation at a time.

To learn more about FamilySmart or to find support, visit familysmart.ca

Work Referenced:

familysmart.ca