May 4th, 2022

As we continue our Mental Health Week campaign in support of the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) and our students’ mental health, we want to remind our students, families and community to #GetReal about your feelings. Be truthful. Be honest. Be vulnerable. It is okay to not feel okay and to seek help.

Today’s mental health theme is social emotional learning and mental health literacy.

Theme: Social Emotional Learning and Mental Health Literacy

Social Emotional Learning is the process of learning and developing skills to recognize and manage emotions. It helps with coping with stress, strengthening identity, solving problems, enhancing positive relationships, and thinking critically.

Studies have shown the remarkable impact of social emotional learning for our students and the importance of honing these skills early. It is vital to embark on this learning journey as children need to build their “toolbox” for life, which they can rely on as they move forward. 

School Mental Health Ontario (SMHO) states, “your mental health has a big impact on how you experience life. The knowledge you build as a young person will help you throughout your life.”

Resources

  1. Grab & Go Tools – This School Mental Health Ontario (SMHO) resource provides learning activities that can be used both at home and at school.
  2. Social Emotional Learning Video Series – School Mental Health Ontario (SMHO) describes the process of developing and practicing skills that help us thrive throughout life.  
  3. Tip Sheet for Parent and Caregivers – School Mental Health Ontario (SMHO) explores how parents and caregivers can identify if their child might be experiencing a mental health concern.
  4. Supporting your Anxious Child – Parents for Children’s Mental Health (PCMH) and WRDSB explore anxiety and how to support your child.
  5. Communication Strategies for students with Special Education Needs – This resource looks at how speech and language can play a vital role in the well-being of a student’s needs.
  6. TIP sheet: How to foster and maintain supportive spaces for Black Youths – School Mental Health Ontario (SMHO) and Wisdom2Action share a tip sheet to foster supportive spaces for Black Youths.  
  7. Social Emotional Learning with a culturally responsive lens – Tips for implementing culturally responsive social emotional learning.

Need immediate help?

Here 24/7 is your front door to the addictions, mental health, and crisis services provided by 11 agencies across Waterloo Wellington. They do the intake, assessment, referral, crisis, waitlist and appointment booking work for these important programs. In Crisis or Need Support? Call 1-844-HERE247 (1-844-437-3247) anytime.

Front Door works with parents/caregivers, children and youth (up to their 18th birthday) who are struggling with life’s challenges such as emotions, behaviours, relationships and mental health.

Kids Help Phone is Canada’s only 24/7 e-mental health service offering free, confidential support to kids, teens and young adults in English and French. Start a confidential conversation with a real person you can trust by calling 1-800-668-6868 or texting 686868.

If your matter is urgent, please call 911 or go to the nearest hospital emergency department.

Missed the previous Mental Health Week messages?