Class Reunion Turns into Launch of Youth Mental Health Fund
With men’s health in the spotlight each November around the world, one St. Michael’s College School (SMCS) graduation class turned a recent reunion into a meaningful gathering, launching a brand-new fund to support young men’s mental health.
“On a beautiful sunny Friday in September, more than 40 men from the Class of 1990 were reunited for a fantastic evening in the Alumni Room at the school,” says Ben Eaves ’90. “We shared memories from our school days as some caught up after years or even decades. The laughter rang loud; it felt like only yesterday that we walked the yellow brick halls. But there was a greater purpose. We realized that several of our classmates have had tragic outcomes in their battles with mental health, so we raised money to fund and organize a speaker session for current St. Michael’s students focused on male youth mental health. Our goal is to help students recognize that asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness.”
Eaves adds, “By sharing our experiences and creating a fund, the Class of 1990 is ensuring that a new generation benefits from the lessons we’ve learned. Our initiative is a testament to the enduring bonds of the St. Michael’s community that continues to care for one another.”
SMCS students across all grades had the opportunity to attend and participate in the special panel on November 17, 2025, during ‘Movember’ and school-wide awareness campaigns and events focused on men’s health.
“The idea of linking this reunion to mental health awareness arose from the sad reality that several of our classmates have had tragic outcomes in their battles with mental health, and the reflection that when we were students, there was absolutely no discussion about mental health or suicide,” says Anthony Scilipoti ’90. “Through initiatives like Movember, huge strides have been made in recent years, and we hope to contribute in some way to increasing youth awareness and eliminating the stigma associated with depression and anxiety.”
The event’s guest speakers included three community advocates for men’s mental health:
Samir Mourani, Movember’s first Canadian ambassador and host of the podcast ‘Gent’s Talk’; Sachin Latti, an ex-law enforcement officer who has raised over $300,000 for mental health initiatives for youth, veterans, and first responders; and Pete Whish, Movember’s manager of community partnerships, who is passionate about supporting boys and men in understanding their bodies, early detection of health issues, and building deep male connections to ensure that men live long and meaningful lives.
The panel connected on topics including emotional health after loss, physical health and cancer survival, and resilience through or after suicidality, with SMCS students in the audience engaging and asking questions as the ‘fourth member’ in the conversation.
“Our goal for November 17 was to impart on our students that expressing vulnerability and asking for help is what a strong man looks like in 2025,” says Liat Benzacar, SMCS School Social Worker. “Checking in with our bodies and paying attention to pain or discomfort, both physically and emotionally, is how we are redefining masculinity.”
This year also marks the second year in a row that Mourani has come to SMCS to speak with students about men’s health. In 2024, he was joined by three alumni guest panelists: Danilo Djuricic ’17, Gianluca Caporicci ’24, and Malcolm Duvivier ’13.
“Our class is hoping to bring the following message to our students: find strength in yourselves and each other; seek help if you are struggling; offer help if you see someone struggling,” says Eaves. “Your mental health is of utmost importance. Remember, you have people around you that care deeply about you—friends, classmates, teachers, coaches, and of course, family, and it is okay to reach out for help if you need it and to accept help when it is offered.”
This is a first-of-its-kind alumni-sponsored initiative for the SMCS community and serves as an example of fostering well-being among students—a key pillar in the school’s recently published Strategic Direction 2025-28.
“We’ve seen through this experience that the health and wellness of today’s SMCS student is a priority for the school. We hope that the Class of 1990 can continue to support the school for years to come through an annual speaker series. This will be a meaningful way to always remember our classmates who left us too soon and hopefully help, in a small way, today’s SMCS young men as they navigate life’s challenges.”
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