A bum knee couldn’t stop Olivia Cox from showing her support for some of her fellow students at Cookstown Central Public School Tuesday afternoon.

The Grade 8 student, along with hundreds of her schoolmates, joined thousands of boys and girls from across Simcoe County to help raise awareness for kids with special needs during a walk in support of Children’s Mental Health Week, May 3 to 10.

“I just always like to take part in special events at my school,” Cox said. “I really wanted to participate in the walk to support Children’s Mental Health Week.”

Virtually all of Cookstown Central’s 500-plus students took part in the walk, said vice principal Kathy Newby.

“It’s the second year we participated in the walk,” Newby said. “It’s to raise awareness among our student population. Teachers did some discussion in their classrooms to let kids be sensitive to the needs of certain students. One in five students have a mental health issue of some sort. As educators, we need to be aware – and educated, as to the type of services available and promote these services, both within the school, and the community.”

The walks were co-ordinated by Children’s Mental Health Ontario, New Path of Barrie and Simcoe County and Kinark Child and Family Services.

To learn more about children’s mental health problems, and how to help, click the link provided.