| April 1 - The Benefits of Prayer |
|
There is a large body of evidence indicating that spiritual practices are associated with better health and well-being for a variety of reasons. Spiritual practices provide emotional comfort and reduce stress creating a positive frame of mind; they induce feelings of calm, as well as hope, gratitude and compassion – all of which have a positive effect on overall wellbeing.
God is a source of comfort, strength and love for us. In prayer, we create an opportunity to talk and listen to God. Through prayer, we enter into a deeper relationship with God that allows us to become aware of the gifts and graces given to us. Prayer enables us to share our gratitude for God’s creation, compassionate mercy, presence, and love.
Prayer also offers emotional comfort and reduces stress by:
-
Offering a sense of hope
-
Creating a positive frame of mind
-
Contributing to a “stress-buffering effect”
-
Increasing feelings of unity and trust
-
Increasing self-knowledge and self-acceptance
-
Increasing the desire to build community with others
“Prayer is an aspiration of the heart, it is a simple glance directed to heaven, it is a cry of gratitude and love in the midst of trail as well as joy; finally, it is something great, supernatural, which expands my soul and unites me to Jesus.” --St. Therese of Lisieux
For some prayer resources you can visit:
|
| March 19 - Kindness and Self Care |
| Elementary - Nurturing Relationships: Kindness Jar |
|
A great way to care for your child’s mental health is to focus on social-emotional learning. Social-emotional learning is how we develop skills to support our mental health and success through life. Among other things, social-emotional learning skills help us to build healthy relationships.
|
| Secondary - Self Care 101 |
|
Self-care is an important part of wellness and even more important when we go through difficult and stressful times in our lives. Take time to look after yourself so that when difficult situations happen, you will have the necessary energy, resources and strategies to help you get through it! You can download the Self-Care 101 handout from School Mental Health Ontario at this link:
https://smho-smso.ca/blog/online-resources/self-care-101-for-students/
|
|
| March 5 - COVID-19 Pandemic Hit Some of Us Harder Than Others |
|
The COVID-19 Pandemic Hit Some of
Us Harder Than Others (The Realities of Different Communities)
Some of us already struggled with feelings of isolation and hopelessness before these unprecedented times. This is particularly true for those individuals who may be impacted by systems of oppression and discrimination. While some of your usual strategies for coping may not be as accessible to you at this time there are some things you can try. Remember that your identities, your communities and your friends are a source of strength. Don’t forget that there is hope. During times like these, it’s important to remember that there are some things we can control or even change, and some things we can’t. Focusing on the things we can control is a helpful mental health strategy. For more information about ways to support yourself during these unprecedented times check out the Allyship and the Equity Social Media Packs, and other online resources, on the Jack.org Youth Mental Health Resource Hub
|
| February 18, 2021 - Activities and Resources to Help Students |
| Elementary - Identifying Emotions: What's the Temperature? |
|
A great way to care for your child’s mental health is to focus on social-emotional learning. Social-emotional learning is how we develop skills to support our mental health and success through life. Among other things, social-emotional learning skills help us to identify our emotions.
Children don’t always know why they feel the way they do. Their emotions may appear in their behaviour and not in their words. You can help your child learn to identify, understand and express feelings. What’s the Temperature is a fun and easy mental health activity that parents of elementary school-age children can use at different times to help their child recognize their feelings and the intensity. You can find this activity, and others, at this link:
|
| Secondary - Reaching Out |
|
During COVID-19, and at any other time, it’s important that we look after our mental health. It’s not unusual to struggle from time to time, and it’s important to be able to notice when you might need some extra help. Talking about things is one of the ways we can take care of our mental health. Youth are encouraged to reach out to Kids Help Phone by calling 1-800-668-6868 or by texting “connect” to 686868.
This resource, from School Mental Health Ontario, supports student help-seeking by showcasing different ways to start the conversation with a trusted person and what to expect after reaching out. You can download the handout at this link: https://smho-smso.ca/blog/online-resources/reaching-out/
|
|
| February 4, 2021 - Prepare; Prevent; Respond |
|
Individuals and families have experienced the COVID-19 pandemic in unique and varied ways. For some, significant changes to daily routines, a sense of isolation and loss, and various other factors may have led to new or increased mental health concerns.
If you’re concerned about your child, contact your family doctor or ask your principal about school mental health services that may be available. Students and families can also call the DCDSB Social Work Access Line (905-576-6150, ext. 21021) and leave a voicemail to receive a call back. (Note: this is not a crisis line and is not monitored 24/7).
|
| January 22, 2021 - Activities and Resources to Help Students |
| Elementary - Deep Belly Breathing |
|
Managing Stress: Deep Belly Breathing
A great way to care for your child’s mental health during COVID-19, or at any other time, is to focus on social-emotional learning. Social-emotional learning is how we develop skills to support our mental health and success through life. Among other things, social-emotional learning skills help us to manage stress.
Every child is different in terms of how they cope with stress. For some children, a stomach ache, temper tantrum, or extreme irritability may be signs that they are dealing with more stress than they know how to handle. Deep Belly Breathing is a fun and easy mental health activity that parents can use at home to teach their elementary school-age children a healthy way of coping with stress. You can find this activity, and others, at this link: https://smho-smso.ca/blog/12-easy-and-fun-mental-health-practices-to-try-with-your-children-at-home/
|
| Secondary - Youth Mental Health Resource Hub |
|
Jack.org COVID-19 Youth Mental Health Resource Hub
COVID-19 has impacted the mental health of people everywhere. Kids Help Phone has seen an unprecedented surge of young people feeling more stressed than usual reaching out during this global pandemic. Finding accurate information and appropriate resources can be hard. Jack.org, School Mental Health Ontario, and Kids Help Phone have partnered to bring you all the information needed in one easy-to-access hub so that youth mental health remains top of mind, and our communities are able to easily access the education, tools, support and reliable information they need. Please share widely with the young people in your life.
https://jack.org/Resources/COVID-19-Youth-Mental-Health-Resource-Hub
|
|
| January 4, 2021 - Noticing and Responding to Mental Health Concerns |
| Elementary |
|
As a parent, you might notice changes in your child’s or teen’s behaviour or emotions and wonder if these changes are just normal ups and downs, if they’re associated with the pandemic or related to an emerging mental health concern. Identifying problems early, and providing caring support goes a long way towards prevention and/or worsening of difficulties. When parents discuss their concerns with their children, it opens up the lines of communication and may be the first step in helping to improve the situation. School Mental Health Ontario provides more information about how to approach the conversation, and what to do next, at this link:
https://smho-smso.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Info-sheet-noticing-concerns.pdf
If you’re concerned, you can ask your principal about school mental health services that may be available. Students and families can also call the new DCDSB Social Work Access Line (905-576-6150, ext. 21021) and leave a voicemail to receive a call back. (Note: this is not a crisis line and is not monitored 24/7). A list of local resources, including crisis lines and non-crisis support can be found here: https://www.dcdsb.ca/en/programs-services/Mental-Health.aspx?_mid_=100106
|
| Secondary |
|
As a parent, you might notice changes in your child’s or teen’s behaviour or emotions and wonder if these changes are just normal ups and downs, if they’re associated with the pandemic or related to an emerging mental health concern. Identifying problems early, and providing caring support goes a long way towards prevention and/or worsening of difficulties. When parents discuss their concerns with their children, it opens up the lines of communication and may be the first step in helping to improve the situation. School Mental Health Ontario provides more information about how to approach the conversation, and what to do next, at this link:
https://smho-smso.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Info-sheet-noticing-concerns.pdf
If you’re concerned, you can ask your principal about school mental health services that may be available. Students and families can also call the new DCDSB Social Work Access Line (905-576-6150, ext. 21021) and leave a voicemail to receive a call back. (Note: this is not a crisis line and is not monitored 24/7). A list of local resources, including crisis lines and non-crisis support can be found here: https://www.dcdsb.ca/en/programs-services/Mental-Health.aspx?_mid_=100106
|
|
