School District No. 8 (Kootenay Lake) and Bennett Family Real Estate owners Chuck and Karen Bennett invite the community to “Start the Conversation,” a school and community event that focuses on mental health, featuring award-winning keynote speaker Victoria Maxwell. Maxwell’s funny, powerful messages about mental wellness will resonate with anyone who has struggled with their own mental health or knows someone who may be struggling now. 

The community event is open to everyone and will happen at L.V. Rogers Secondary School at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 9. Tickets are available online at starttheconversationnelson.com. L.V. Rogers students will attend their own afternoon assembly to hear Maxwell and learn more about mental health resources available through SD8 and in their community. Health care professionals and resources will also be available at the school.  

“One surprising outcome for us, found by sharing our family’s experience of learning how to support our daughter through a mental health challenge, is how prevalent mental health challenges are for many of our friends and acquaintances. They have opened up to us sharing their own family experiences,” said Chuck Bennett, co-owner of Bennett Family Real Estate with his wife Karen Bennett. 

“I thank Chuck and Karen for sharing their family’s story and for initiating this event. It’s so important that we work together to destigmatize conversations about mental health and connect people with the resources they need. It’s part of creating a caring learning environment and a caring community so students and their families can thrive,” said SD8 Superintendent Trish Smillie.   

Proceeds from tickets for the evening event will be used to start a fund for mental health initiatives at L.V. Rogers, directly benefiting students. A donation will also be made to the LVR Girls Soccer Team as they have taken an active role in organizing and running the event. 

About School District No. 8 (Kootenay Lake): School District No. 8 (Kootenay Lake) provides educational services to numerous diverse communities in the East & West Kootenays, including Crawford Bay, Creston, Kaslo, Meadow Creek, Nelson, Salmo, Slocan, South Slocan, Winlaw, Wynndel and Yahk. Its dedicated team focuses on providing the best possible educational opportunities for 4,800 students and their families. Its mission is to focus on excellence for all learners in a nurturing environment.