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York Region District School Board

Student Mental Health and Addictions Newsletter - September 2023

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First Day of a New School Year!

Dear Families, 

Welcome to the 2023-2024 school year!  We are happy to see all of you.  

At YRDSB, we are committed to fostering a positive and supportive environment where mental health is prioritized and nurtured. Together, let us create a school community that embraces mental wellness, celebrates diversity, and supports one another on this incredible journey of education and personal growth. 

We acknowledge that many feelings and emotions accompany the start of a new school year for students, parents and educators. From excitement to nervousness, anxiety to joy and everything in between. Whatever feelings and emotions accompany your child(ren) or family, know they are valid, important and okay. Talking to your child(ren) about their first day feelings can be a great way to encourage conversation about experiences and emotions all year long!

In this edition we will focus on the firsts of the new year- new school, first drop-off, kindergarten or high school. 

Creating a routine at the beginning of a new school year offers predictability and consistency and can be helpful to children, parents and teachers! Building skills to take care of our feelings as we go through the new year can happen at any time. Asking questions about your child(ren)’s day such as “ What did you feel walking into your classroom?”, “How do you know you’re feeling happy when you see your friends?”, “What made you feel excited/hopeful/worried about today?” can help normalise the feelings of each day. 

We want to use the start of the year as a reminder to take care of yourselves throughout the year, and to know that if challenges arise we can solve problems together. We want all of our students to know that there are caring adults that will help them navigate all that this year may bring. When students feel supported and cared for by those around them, they are better able to engage in new learning and embrace new opportunities.  

We are better together.  Looking forward to a year of learning, discovery, and joy alongside you.

 

Supportive Resources

Mental Health Resources in York Region


YorkHills Here to Help Line (905-503-9561) 

  • The Here to Help Line is a free service available to children/youth (0-18 years) and their parents/caregiver/adult supporters.

  • Monday to Thursday from 2:00p.m.-7:00p.m. 

Family Services York Region (905-895-2371)

  • Virtual walk in is operated on a first come, first serve basis, and can be accessed once per month.

  • Virtual appointments can be 15 minutes to 1.5 hours long depending on your specific needs.

  • Monday, Tuesday, Thursdays from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. 

YRDSB Mental Health Resource Page 

 

Free Community Programs

Parents

York Hills Centre for Children, Youth and Families 

Students

York Support Services Network

Families

PFlag

  • Coffee Night, held every second Monday of the month, is a safe space where members of the LGBTQ2 community, their friends, family or allies can come together. 
  • Online Registration

 

Mental Health Team

This edition of the Newsletter was written by the Student Mental Health and Addictions Strategy Implementation Team 2023-2024, inclusive of YRDSB School Social Workers Afsaneh Zafarani, Kate Phillips and Peter Reid.

Patricia Marra-Stapleton, M.Sc., C. Psych. Assoc. 

Hoshana Calliste, M.S.W., R.S.W. 

Paula Vicente M.S.W., R.S.W.

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Department
Mental Health