Northern Health is launching a new program highlighting northerners making a difference in health in the community.
15 year old Myles Mattila is the first Community Health Star. He partnered with mindcheck.ca to promote mental health in youth after he was inspired to help his friend and hockey team mate with mental illness.
Northern Health’s Kelsey Yarmish says people like Myles were the inspiration behind the program;
“We knew about the work that he was doing and it really got us talking about how we as a health region, can shine a spotlight on people like Myles doing amazing things to promote health and wellness in communities”
Yarmish also acknowledged the programs ties to the Canada Winter Games;
“As a health region we are really interested in health legacy around the Canada Winter Games. We have been looking for lever points; so what are the things we can do as a health region to really build legacy around health and wellness in our communities? When we understood what Myles was doing we really saw him as being a lever point.”
A new health star will be selected each month from public nominations. Future stars will include;
• Seamus Damstrom, Terrace – The only northerner on the Healthy Living Youth Council, this 15-year old is helping bring healthier foods into his school canteen.
• Wayne Mould, Dawson Creek – At 70 years old, Wayne overcame kidney cancer and only one year later he ran a marathon, winning in his age group.
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