Student Mental Health and Addictions Newsletter - September 2024

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Welcome Back!


Dear Caregivers and Families,

Welcome back for another year of learning. As we transition back to school from the summer break, you may be reverting to a familiar routine or beginning a new one. The month of September is full of new things: new teachers, classrooms, grades, peers and sometimes even completely new schools. Big changes sometimes result in big feelings. To that end, we encourage you to take a moment and breathe. Try to practice grace and self-compassion as everything transitions back to a new school year together. We also encourage you to be patient, and practice kindness. Remember, starting a new school year may bring challenges at first, but can get easier with time. There are tools that people use to ease transitions. Some of them include: establishing and communicating a routine. Here are ten tips from School Mental Health Ontario to help make the most of this time. Routines help us manage our feelings and emotions by offering consistency and predictability. Connected to routine is planning ahead. This looks different from family to family but may include: preparing school lunches the night before, outfits, packing school backpacks, among others. And finally, consider creating and adhering to a schedule. A schedule that’s communicated to the family where everyone knows their roles and responsibilities can often help ease all of the feelings and emotions that arise with this time of year. 

As with any transition, it is also important to communicate with your child. Take the time to ask them how they are feeling and listen without judgment. Additionally, you can ask your child about what they’re looking forward to in the new school year. For example, they might be looking forward to seeing their friends, or getting to learn new subjects. You might even remind your child of all the skills and strengths they will be bringing into the new year, such as their ability to learn, make friends, stay organized, pray, play sports etc. This can help build your child’s confidence so they feel capable of taking on the challenges of a new school year.  Finally, don’t forget to provide reassurance that you will be there to support your child as they navigate new obstacles throughout the year. It may also be beneficial to remind them that the faith-based or cultural communities they may belong to can also provide support. 

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. 

We look forward to a great school year ahead! 

If you have any questions please contact mental.health@yrdsb.ca 

 

Community Mental Health Events


Students

Public Libraries / Regional Municipality of York Events for Children and Families

 

Students

York Services Support Network
Kerry's Place Autism Services 

 

Caregivers

Yorkhills Centre for Children, Youth and Families
Family Services York Region
  •  Free To Be
    • Third Wednesday of Each Month, 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm
    • This is a free virtual group for parents/caregivers of gender diverse children, regardless of age which meets once a month. Free to Be offers an opportunity to meet for support and education. The goal of this program is to destigmatize gender diversity
Kinark Autism Services  
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

This edition of the newsletter was written by the Student Mental Health and Addictions Strategy Implementation Team 2024-2025, inclusive of YRDSB School Social Workers Ruth Damdar, Kate Phillips, Peter Reid and Kymani Spence. 

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

  • Mental Health Lead 

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

  • Assistant Coordinator of Mental Health 

Department