In this episode, host Merle Massie connects with students at Queen Margaret's School on Vancouver Island, to hear how a group of small-town teens is quietly transforming their school culture.

Student leaders, Oceana Jarvis, Delphine Koyote and Angela Feng, join Merle, along with former head of school David Robertson, to share how they lead the school's lunch-hour Stigma-free Club meetings as a lifeline for new students, a refuge from loneliness, and a launchpad for real conversations about mental health.

These teens give talks on mental health and anti-bullying, fundraise for local charities, and build simple ways for students to feel seen and included. The idea is to set labels aside and build a school culture where difference is met with welcome and belonging.

Later, Merle is joined by Andrea Paquette, president and co‑founder of the Stigma-Free Mental Health Society, to zoom out to the bigger picture. Students often feel crushing pressure to fit in, and face long-held stereotypes about mental health. Paquette created a Student Mental Health Toolkit for teens, parents and educators, along with a Rural Mental Wellness Toolkit designed for people living in small communities.

This episode explores a simple but radical idea: when teens lead the way and decide to be kind, be curious, and be brave, a stigma-free school isn't just possible, it's already happening.

How are things looking in your community? Whether you have thoughts on the show, or you'd like to be featured, let us know. Tell Merle what your community is doing for mental health – or, tell us about something you've done on your farm or ranch. Have you created something silly, fun, joyful, or built a place that brings people together on your land, send your e-mail or audio story to feedback@domore.ag.