Let’s Talk: Mental Health and Well-Being
Good mental health and well-being play a critical role in the success of our students. Promoting good mental health is an important part of our everyday interactions in our school communities. Our efforts need to focus on positive and supportive relationships; having a caring adult that our children can turn to and helping them develop optimism, a positive sense of self, self-confidence, resilience and a sense of belonging.
Wednesday, January 30, 2019 is Bell Let’s Talk Day.
One of the most important things we can do to help our children is to connect with them. A simple, but genuine conversation can have lasting impacts. Below are suggested questions that you and my staff can use to engage students on this day and beyond:
- What do you like to do in your spare time?
- If you could have a super power what would it be?
- How do you know when someone cares about you?
- Who or what inspires you to be the best you?
- What makes you laugh so much you snort?
- How would someone know if you were stressed?
- If you were to describe yourself what is the first thing you would say?
- If you could trade places with anyone for a day who what that be? Why?
- Would you rather take a picture or be in a picture?
- What physical activity do you like to do?
- If you could talk to anyone in the world, who would that be? Why?
- Who is the person who makes you feel safe? What is it about that person or relationship that makes you feel safe?
General Conversation based Resources:
- Kids Help Phone at kidshelpphone.ca (call, text, live chat)
- What’s Up Walk in at www.whatsupwalkin.ca (Immediate, no fee mental health counselling for children, youth and their families. Depending on location specific nights services are offered in a variety of languages, or via telephone interpretation)
- Mental Health TO at www.mentalhealthto.ca (connecting children you and their families to mental health services in Toronto – 1-866-585-6486)
General Mental Health Resources:
- School Mental Health ASSIST smh-assist.ca (steps and strategies for promoting student mental health and well-being)
- Everyday Mental Health Practices smh-assist.ca/emhc/ (easy to implement daily practices and activities that promote good mental health and well-being)