Today@Dal

Each year, the season of giving inspires us to support a worthy cause and this year, it was about more than just raising funds for a charitable cause – it was about raising awareness, reducing stigma and building resiliency around an issue Dalhousie University holds close its heart – mental health.

In late November, Dalhousie took part in the Compass Group Festival of Trees – a stunning gallery of Christmas trees decorated by individual and corporate donors for auction at the Festival's Black Tie Gala held at the WTCC. Funds raised at the event help support programs and services for individuals living with mental health issues. Our colours, black and gold, supported our tree's theme: stars shining through the dark and members of the university community were invited to hang a gold “ornament of hope” in support of those suffering from mental illness, as they transition from a shadowed place to one of light and hope.

Mental health issues affect one in five of us, so this event was a great way to bring our community together, not only to raise funds and spirits for Nova Scotians facing mental illness, but to create a conversation around mental health on campus. This was our first year participating in the Festival of Trees, but feedback from members of the Dal community was overwhelmingly positive, so we plan on keeping the conversation going and look forward to next year's event.

(Pictured: Communications and Marketing team members Erin Stewart and Lisa Holmes deliver the Dal tree.)