Dear Families and Caregivers,
The 2024-2025 school year concludes with significant growth, achievements, and strong connections made by our students, families, and staff.
Summer break gives us an opportunity to support our well-being through rest, reflection, and relaxation. Stay connected to the community through various events listed below, and take advantage of the mental health resources provided throughout York Region.
We would also like to share our 2025 Summer Wellness Guides for students and families to use as a resource over the summer break;
The family version of the Summer Wellness Guide includes valuable information on supporting mental health and well-being over the summer, including: telephone and virtual mental health supports, resources for students with developmental disabilities and Autism, health and physical education resources, information on summer camps and more! We hope that you and your family will be able to use some of the information in the family version of the Summer Wellness Guide over the summer break.
The student version of the guide was curated by students from the YRDSB Youth S.P.A.C.E. Secondary Student Advisory, offering ideas tailored for youth. These guides include resources to access for community, support and building coping skills.
School Mental Health Ontario offers resources such as: Five everyday tips for a mentally healthy summer break to help you prepare for a summer break that supports well-being. As we look forward to the summer break, we encourage you to embrace this time for rest, reflection, and reconnection.
Supportive Resources
For more community resources, check out: YRDSB Mental Health Resource Page
Continue to check out the YRDSB website for updated information as well as the X account @YRDSB and Instagram @mh_yrdsb.
Community Mental Health Events
Explore a variety of community programs and workshops designed to support mental health and well-bring for students, families, and caregivers.
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, Counseling, Help) is an Afrocentric 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
Doane House Hospice
- Monthly Art Studio Series: On the first Friday of every month, Doane House Hospice will be hosting a free 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. For more information, please contact Doane House Art Therapist Cynthia Gardner at cgardner@myhospice.ca or call 905 967 0259 ext. 155
- Grief Art Camps: This half-day, week-long camp gives children and young adults a safe place to express their grief through art-making and fun group activities. Together, they'll learn ways to better cope with their loss, navigate the ups and downs of grief, and honour their special person
- July 7-11 (for ages 9-12) from 9:00 am - 12 pm
- July 14-18 (for ages 13-18) from 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
- For more information, please contact cgardner@myhospice.ca or (905) 967-0259 ext.155
Caregivers
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
Yorkhills Centre for Children, Youth and Families
- Please visit Yorkhills Event Page, to find information on upcoming workshops available to the community both in-person and online.
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