We react to distressing developments according to our natures.Some remain in denial, unable to accept a terrible thing or move on from it. Others use bad news as an excuse to stop trying to deal with life鈥檚 challenges.Still others need to make sense of tragedy and find any good they can to help them deal with it by making the world a better place.Almost 200 students from the Comox Valley鈥檚 three secondary schools are in the latter category.With the invaluable aid of spoken word performer Shane Koyczan, students created two positive video projects illustrating how to deal with negative feelings.The videos convey the message that no matter how lonely or depressed you might feel, someone will always be there to lean on if you reach out to those around you. That鈥檚 the word from Vanier vice-principal Murray McRae, who spearheaded the project, which he said just kept growing as more students came on board.Koyczan, who performed in the opening ceremony at the 2010 Olympic Winter Games, shuffled his busy schedule to come to the Comox Valley and work with the students in December. Seeing how such a project can help to heal a community that has suffered a devastating loss was inspiring, said the big-hearted poet.Koyczan, who was bullied as a child, encourages viewers of the video to persevere even when they feel like quitting.The video鈥檚 inspiring creation was sparked by several teen suicides in the Comox Valley.Like Koyczan, video protagonist Jay Luty could identify with the project鈥檚 goal.The Vanier Grade 12 student struggled with depression a couple of years ago and he was friends with one of the local teenagers who took their own lives last year.Congratulations to him and everyone else who wanted to do something positive for the community.The video is posted at www.gpvanier.ca, www.sd71.bc.ca and www.shanekoyczan.com.editor@comoxvalleyrecord.com
