Mental Health & Well-Being: Feeling Stressed?
Together for Mental Health: Everyone, Everyday
Developing positive mental health is important to academic achievement and overall well-being.
Did you know that we all feel stressed sometimes? Feeling stressed can make us feel uncomfortable but there are different things that we can do to help. Let’s try one strategy together, this one is called 4,3,2,1. First, look around the room and think of 4 things you can see (maybe it’s your teacher, a friend, the door, the board), next think of 3 things you can hear (maybe my voice, people moving in their seats or even the clock). Next, think about 2 things you can smell (maybe some food, or the smell of your classroom). And finally, think about one thing that you can taste (maybe your breakfast!). Now bring yourself back to here and now. This strategy can be useful in helping us stay mindful and in the moment when we are feeling some stress. There are no strict rules when if comes to using the 4, 3, 2, 1 strategy. You may need to do this many times in a row or you might even prefer to pick four things you can hear instead of see….that's ok try what works for you!
Parent/Guardian/Caregivers - Talking to your child about your concerns
A common question parents have is: “How do I talk to my child if I’m concerned about them?”.
Firstly, it is important that you share your concerns with your child. You can say something like: “I notice you're spending more time in your room than you used to, I care about you, is everything okay? Let’s come up with a plan together, you deserve to feel better.”
Sometimes children may be more comfortable having that conversation with someone else. While it's hard to hear that as a parent, it’s good to recognize that having your child be able to have that conversation with someone in their life is important. If they won’t have the conversation with you, you may want to encourage another caring adult in their life to check in with them. This conversation is done ideally in private in a time where emotions aren't high. You can learn more by reviewing the handout Model Language for Families in the link below.
For more information, visit DCDSB Mental Health & Well-Being