Yesterday we had the pleasure of a visit from Qixiu Fu (Xiu) to Prem.   Xiu graduated from Prem in 2016. In Grade 11 she struggled with depression.  Xiu spoke about how lucky she had been to have the support of Prem staff, friends and family during this difficult time, and how with this help, medication and therapy she worked through this. She spoke about her worse time being from December 2014 until March 2015.  During her last two years she credits her time in her Art space at Prem as helping to tell her story through her Art, saying that the Art space was a beautiful and wonderful period of her life, later she found writing a good source of therapy.

Xiu’s main reason for visiting Prem was to say thank you and to make a donation to the Counselling department.  She is “delighted that A. Amandine will use this to sponsor more talk series, and to have speakers talk about mental wellness, and hopefully to fund Parent Workshops to provide support for family
with struggling children.”

Xiu said she felt really happy with the changes that have been made at Prem. She really enjoyed meeting students who remembered her and also students who she hadn’t met before.

Xiu went to New York University to study Psychology and completes her degree this year. Xiu has always been open about her depression and wanted to have this article in the school news as she believes any student struggling should ask for help.  She talked about how she missed a good part of school using her energy on the problem, feeling that a large chunk of time will always be missing.  Luckily Xiu spent time connecting with her peers after graduation and is now in touch with classmates through Alumni.

An inspiring visit by a young woman who has struggled and overcome depression, and is happy to share in the hope that this will prevent other young people remaining silent.

Linda Buck
Alumni Co-ordinator