Approximately 100 Adult Basic Education Carlton Trail College students from across the region took part in a student experience day last Wednesday.

On the agenda was guest speaker Allan Kehler(pictured below) who covered the topic of mental health and empowering yourself.

ABE Manager Rachel Trann explains why they included the address.

"We really wanted to highlight the importance of people's mental health and ultimately we want all of our students in all of our programs to know that we want to be part of the solution. We want to open doors to conversation, reduce stigma and help anyone who is struggling to seek help."

They heard from former ABE student Ayesha Cisse(pictured below) and her own battles with mental illness and addictions during the day as well.

"I think everybody has experienced someone in their lives or maybe personally they have been touched with issues of mental health so it's important that we open the door so that people feel safe to have conversations," Trann continued. 

"They don't have to struggle in silence, we can help them find the resources they need."

Students from Wadena, Wakaw, Wynyard, Punnichy and One Arrow First Nation also toured the welding, plumbing, office admin, power engineering and continuing care assistant facilities here in Humboldt as part of the day long event.

You can hear more from Trann below in her interview with Bolt FM's Sarah Miller.