The mental health and well-being of students continues to be a priority at DCDSB. For some students, summertime can be challenging for a number of reasons. The disruption in routine and a loss of structure can affect anyone. Changes in sleep and eating habits can have big impacts. Less structured days can lend themselves to spending too much time online and can aggravate an unhealthy attachment to social media. Below we have highlighted some tips for summertime wellness, as well as resources that can be accessed for support.
Parents and caregivers can access a tip sheet from School Mental Health Ontario to support the mental health and well-being of their child or teen.
Simple but effective ideas to help anyone maintain their mental wellness during the summer:
- Keep a routine that has structure and predictability; children and youth thrive on routine
- Go outside and get plenty of fresh air
- Adopt or keep up a schedule of regular exercise
- Eat a nutritious diet and regulate your eating schedule
- Get enough sleep
- Stay in touch with friends and support socializing
- Keep up with medication as prescribed
- Maintain therapy or counselling sessions
- Limit the time spent on social media and screen time
- Join a summer camp, volunteer, or get a job
- Get involved with social activities on a regular basis, such as sports, cultural activities, or hobby clubs
Resources:
Adjusting to the summer routine: Tips from Sick Kids
10 Ways to Get you Family Active This Summer
Action for Healthy Kids offers some tips on how to Create a Family Self-Care Plan
If someone’s safety is at risk and needs immediate help, call 911 or visit your nearest emergency room.
Frontenac Youth Services Crisis Team: 905-723-2802 (for youth age 12 to 18 years)
- Hours: Monday through Thursday 10:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Friday 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
(You may be asked to leave a message. If calling during hours of operation, your call will be returned within a couple of hours).
- 310 COPE: 1-855-310-COPE (2673) or TTY1-866-323-7785
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- After hours crisis support support for children, youth and families
- Kids Help Phone:(for age 5-20): 1-800-668-6868 or text Connect to 686868 (24/7)
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- Live chat counselling (7 p.m. to 12 a.m.): https://kidshelpphone.ca/live-chat-counselling/
- Durham Region Crisis Response: 1-800-742-1890 or 905-666-0483 (available 24/7)
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- Support for individuals of all ages experiencing a personal or situational crisis
- Distress Centre Durham: 905-430-2522 or 1-800-452-0688 or text 258258
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- Telephone helpline service 24/7; Text and online chat open 2:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m.
- Online Chat: https://distresscentredurham.com/ontario-online-text-crisis-services/
- One Stop Talk: Access to virtual counselling session for youth ages 17 and under
Quick Access Services (formerly named Frontenac Walk-in Clinic)
- For adolescents 12 to 18 years old and/or caregivers (family accompaniment welcomed)
- Walk-in clinic sessions are available Monday to Thursday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. (last session beginning at 6/6:30 p.m.) and Friday 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (last session beginning at 2:30 p.m.).
- Walk-in sessions are offered in person or virtually.
- Walk-in sessions operate within a single-session therapy model and used for multiple purposes: to be available as a stand-alone service, to be accessed as support for clients awaiting ongoing services, and to be accessed as “booster” sessions for clients discharged from ongoing services
How to access:
Intake referral must be completed through Central Intake Services:1-888-454-6275 (TF)
Please call 905-579-1551 Ext. 234 to schedule a session.
Durham Counselling Walk-in Clinic (DCWIC)
- DCWIC is a free, confidential, counselling clinic, providing service for children and youth, 3 to 19 years (up until their 20th birthday) and their families
- DCWIC is currently being offered in a virtual format via telephone
- All appointments are pre-booked - Intakes take place the day prior to clinic day
- Appointments are first-come, first-served and booked each week
- Clinic hours are Wednesdays from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
How to access:
For further information, or to book an intake, please call the Clinic Coordinator at 289-509-0603, ext. 3203.
Additional Supports are also available through Frontenac Youth Services and Durham Community Health Centre (DCHC)
- Frontenac youth Services: https://frontenacyouthservices.org/
- Durham Community Health Centre: https://www.durhamchc.ca/
Please access the DCDSB mental health page for a list of mental health supports in Durham Region, including crisis, non-crisis and culturally relevant mental health supports.
Visit our YouTube page to view our playlist on mental health videos from previous workshops and other resources.