Wellness Services

The Friendship Bench

Located in the Andrews 1700 wing, the Friendship Bench is a place where students who are struggling to connect with others and find it difficult to ask for help can talk with someone willing to offer an ear to listen, a shoulder to cry on or simply a friendly “hello.”  The bench reminds students to seek help and engage each other in conversation to reduce the stigma around mental health.

The Centre for Justice and Human Services is proud to provide this resource to the students and community of Lethbridge Polytechnic.

The Lucas Fiorella Friendship Bench

In October 2014, while in university, Lucas died by suicide after suffering in silence from depression. Lucas’s life and death raised awareness of the risk of suicide among post-secondary students. Though he suffered in silence himself, Lucas reached out to others who were suffering and needed someone to talk to. Despite having resources and supports available to them, Lucas realized that some students still don’t take the initiative to ask for help. The Lucas Fiorella Friendship Bench was created to continue Lucas’ legacy of caring and reaching out by creating a physical place where people who find it hard to ask for help may still receive assistance. 

For more information and resources, visit The Friendship Bench.