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John F. Ross CVI alumni develops “Wellness 4 All” initiative

September 22, 2022

GUELPH, ON — Former John F. Ross, Alexandra Elmslie, created the online database Wellness 4 All to provide mental health resources for students with intellectual developmental disabilities (IDD) across the Upper Grand District School Board.

While she was in grade 11, Elmslie came up with the idea for Wellness 4 All as a response to the mental health crisis caused by COVID-19. Elmslie said that at the time there were gaps in the mental health resources being provided for individuals with intellectual developmental disabilities (IDD). 

Elmslie then began researching, compiling and creating online mental health resources focused on IDD. She first led in-person sessions and then used that experience and information to create a website. She explains the website is ‘multifaceted’ as it provides information to raise awareness of mental health, and vocabulary and visualization tools to help students to identify their feelings. 

A program that started off in three classrooms at John F. Ross CVI is now used by over 200 students in the UGDSB and the Waterloo District School Board.

You can read the full story from GuelphToday here. 

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