Talking About Mental Health: September 2016
Throughout the school year, Dr. Lynn Woodford shares tips and resources for improving our mental health and well-being. Additional mental health resources for students and parents/guardians can be found on the board website.
Hope that you had a good summer and enjoyed some fun, relaxation and down time. As the children and youth get ready to head back to school, it is important to plan a mentally healthy school year. Some simple steps will help to make this year more positive and less stressful.
Start each day with a positive thought
- “Today is going to be a good day”
- “I am going to have a good day”
- “I can do this”
- “I have what it takes”
- “I feel happy”
- “I am strong”
Practice relaxation
- Start the day with some body stretches
- Take three deep breaths each time you go through a doorway
- Be present: Notice 3 things you can see, hear and touch
- Tense and relax your muscles, releasing tension in your body
- Imagine a place that makes you feel relaxed
Take breaks before you are stressed
- Walk to school
- Get outside at lunch or breaks
- Listen to music to relax
- Eat a good breakfast and lunch
- Hang out with your friends
- Think of 3 things you are grateful for
Seek support
- Talk to your family or friends
- At elementary school, talk to a teacher, principal, or child & youth counsellor (CYC)
- At high school, talk to a teacher, principal, VP, guidance, student success, social worker, CYC, or nurse
- Call KidsHelpPhone at 1 800 668 6868. Online at http://www.kidshelpphone.ca/
- Talk to your family doctor
- Contact community mental health services:
Canadian Mental Health Association WW (CMHAWW)
Tuesday Walk In – 1:30-7:00, 485 Silvercreek Parkway, Guelph
To access services for Children, Youth and Adults in Guelph/Wellington
1 844 HERE 247 (1 844 437 3247)
http://here247.ca/
Dufferin Child and Family Services (DCAFS)
Tuesday Talk In – 1:00-7:00 pm, 655 Riddell Road, Orangeville
To access services for Children and Youth in Dufferin: 519 941 1530
http://dcafs.on.ca/
Family Counselling and Support Services
Walk-in, Wednesday, 1-7, sliding scale, based on ability to pay, but will not turn anyone away.
http://familyserviceguelph.on.ca/
Have a wonderful and mentally healthy school year!
Dr. Lynn Woodford is the Mental Health and Addiction Lead for the Upper Grand District School Board. Follow Lynn on Twitter @drlynnwoodford