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Olympic medalist and PWHL player Sarah Nurse is speaking at two high schools in the District about the connection between mental wellness and healthy use of screens.

The visits to Moscrop and ������ý Central Secondary schools are part of Rogers  program to help Canadian youth and families address excessive screen use.

������ý Central Principal Chris Sandor:

This engaging opportunity is one of many important ways that we look to support mental wellness for students, which is a key priority across the Burnaby School District. Hearing the story of such an incredible role model as Olympian Sarah Nurse is another way for youth to learn about balanced mental health strategies to ensure that screen time doesn’t interfere with building real life connections or prioritizing physical activity.” 

Nurse, who will be joined by psychiatrist Dr. Shimi Kang at the school talks, will meet with students to share her personal experiences both off and on the ice. Nurse plans to talk with students about why taking screen breaks matters for performance and well-being.

“Screens are something I rely on every day, both in my life and my career, but I’ve learned that finding balance and knowing when to disconnect is just as important. Since I started working with Rogers on the Screen Break program, I have been more conscious about my screen use. I loved having honest conversations with students about finding that balance in their own lives.” 

A core element of the Rogers Screen Break program is partnering with professional athletes to engage teens at school with real‑life conversations about healthy screen use. Burnaby Schools is the first District in BC to benefit from the national program, which launched in January in Ontario.

Sarah Zupnik is the Program Director for Rogers Screen Break:

“Athletes like Sarah Nurse are uniquely positioned to connect with young people because they understand life online and the pressures that come with it. Sarah’s authenticity and close connection to students’ lived experiences make her a powerful voice to help raise awareness about screen balance.”

A Rogers study found that Canadian youth aged 11–17 spend an average of 5.2 hours per day on their phones, significantly exceeding the two‑hour recreational screen time guideline recommended by the Canadian Paediatric Society.

More information about Mental Health Resources can be found on the District’s website here. Rogers Screen Break and resources for families can be found .

Posted April 2026