Mental Health Week

SELF-COMPASSION
 
Let's kick of Mental Health Week for all our students by practicing our May Umbrella Project skill, self-compassion! Self-compassion is the care we offer ourselves, how we honour our own humanness, how we give ourselves kindness,
care, warmth and understanding when we're faced with shortcomings, inadequacies, or failures. Videos and lessons can be found on our WCDSB internal mental health website.
 
A NOTE ON STIGMA REDUCTION
 
Schools are an ideal place for highlighting the problem of stigma for those who experience mental health problems. When we create safe spaces for talking about mental health and mental illnesses, and encourage help-seeking amongst young people, we are creating understanding, compassion, and hope for a new generation. And, we are building young leaders who can advocate for a change in perspective. Learn more about how to reduce stigma in schools here!
 
MENTAL HEALTH WEEK: CAREGIVER WELLBEING EVENT
 
Join Dr. Serena Jenkins of the Palix Foundation on May 3rd 6:30pm-8:00pm as she delves into the science of resilience and how the Resilience Scale can be used as a tool to improve outcomes for individuals, families, and communities. Click here to learn more and register for the event.
 
PROMOTING MENTALLY HEALTHY SCHOOLS AND RESILIENCE: STRATEGIES FOR EDUCATORS
 
Staff who complete this 2.5 hour module will get a certification indicating they are a Mentally Healthy Certified Educator . This module aims to equip school staff with information and strategies to support mentally healthy schools and promote resilience among students. Access this training module here!
 
Messages for Youth From YouthTALK CMHAWW:
 
Storytelling is a fundamental part of being human and this year CMHA Mental Health Week focuses on #MyStory. Stories help
build connections and strong communities. Storytelling, in all its forms, supports mental health and reduces stigma. This year’s Mental Health Week will amplify some of the youth voices from our Guelph- Wellington community. YouthTALK has put together 10 minutes messages from youth in our community for youth in our community. Check out their messages below! These short videos are intended for our intermediate and secondary students. Be sure to to discuss the supports available at school and in the community when reviewing these message and throughout mental health week! Support Available can be found on the internal mental health website.
 
ENGAGEMENT
 
YouthTALK shares how engagement in activities positively help health and wellbeing, and ways to get started in a way that works best for you! Video from YouthTALK can be found here.
 
IDENTITY
 
YouthTALK explores how identity and mental health are related, how we can accept our identity and
how we can create an accepting and inclusive environment for everyone. Video from YouthTALK can be found here.