Wellness at Home: Building a Foundation for Mental Health
Dear Families and Caregivers,
In this edition we will focus on fostering wellness and connection within the family home, as it is an environment for emotional growth and building resilience. We recognize the meaningful ways families are already promoting mental health at home. We encourage you to continue to find new opportunities to support well-being. Fostering wellness at home can be as simple as taking the time to help your child learn about and recognize different emotions. Fostering wellness at home might also include spending a few moments of quality time with your child each day. For example, you and your child might choose to read a story together, go for a walk, or play a board game or video game together. Spending quality time with your child will look different for every family. You might also foster wellness at home by simply letting your child know that you are listening to them. Acknowledging your child’s feelings and perspectives lets your child know they matter. This can be hugely impactful in fostering wellness and connection at home.
Fun activities, meaningful conversations, and simple daily routines can make a big difference. School Mental Health Ontario offers Easy and Fun Mental Health Activities For Home with ideas such as how to manage stress, nurture relationships, and stay positive. By creating a mentally healthy environment, we can support children, teens, and caregivers feel confident and ready to succeed. Whether it is through supportive activities or small acts of gratitude, all efforts help to build a foundation for wellness at home.
Supportive Resources
Mental Health Resources in York Region
The Newmarket African Caribbean Canadian Association (NACCA) (905-781-6222)
NACCA is committed to the collective work of engaging the African Canadian communities and its allies through program delivery, education and partnerships, to cultivate an empowered and united Black community in Newmarket.
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 2:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Family Services York Region (905-895-2371)
Virtual walk in is offered on a first come, first serve basis. It can be accessed once per month. Virtual appointments can be 15 minutes to 1.5 hours long depending on needs. Monday, Tuesday, Thursdays from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
CMHA BounceBack Ontario
Do you feel that maybe you could benefit from some support? BounceBack® provides resources to support learning new skills, including a trained coach who can provide up to six telephone sessions. BounceBack Coaching is available through the provincial Ontario Structured Psychotherapy program. Offered to youth aged 15-17 and adults 18+.
YRDSB Mental Health Resource Page
Continue to check out the YRDSB website for updated information as well as the X account @YRDSB
Follow YRDSB Mental Health on Twitter @MH_YRDSB
Community Mental Health Events
Students
The Newmarket African Caribbean Canadian Association (NACCA)
- T.E.A.C.H. Mental Health Workshop Series: The YSSI T.E.A.C.H. (Training, Empowerment, Advocacy, Counselling, Help) is an africentric program that offers education on mental health and well-being practices for Black children/youth. The eight-week workshop series is on mental health for Black children/youth in grades 6-8.
- Registration: T.E.A.C.H. Mental Health Workshop Series
Your Support Services Network
Doane House Hospice
- Monthly Art Studio Series: On the first Friday of every month, Doane House Hospice will be hosting an art-making studio from 2:00pm-4:00pm for individuals navigating significant loss or challenging health circumstances. Participants can create art projects with provided supplies or bring their own, fostering healing and connection through creativity.
- Registration Flyer
Kerry's Place Autism Services
Caregivers
Yorkhills Centre for Children, Youth and Families
- York Hills offers various workshops. Please click the above link to scroll through offerings.
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. 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, Yen Lee, 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
Kate Phillips M.S.W., R.S.W.
Assistant Coordinator of Mental Health
