Embracing Autumn: Nurturing Well-being This Season
Dear Families and Caregivers,
As the leaves turn and a new school year unfolds, it’s helpful to prioritize our mental well-being. The transition back to routine in September can bring a mix of emotions for students, with new environments and expectations. Encourage a gentle adjustment by emphasizing routines, planning ahead, and open communication. Take time to listen to your child's feelings without judgment, focus on their strengths, and offer emotional support and validation of their feelings. Remember, fostering kindness, patience and compassion both for ourselves and our children, supports a smoother path forward.
School Mental Health Ontario has compiled transition tips and strategies to promote a healthy return to school.
October reminds us, through World Mental Health Day, to actively build resilience. This involves nurturing connections with loved ones and community, prioritizing healthy habits like balanced nutrition and sufficient sleep, and developing skills to manage difficult emotions. This also includes helping children identify their feelings, practicing gratitude, and learning problem-solving strategies. How do we know when our children’s mental health requires extra attention and support? School Mental Health Ontario offers us questions that we can ask ourselves to help answer this question, signs that might signal a mental health problem in our children, how we can talk to our children about mental health and how to support them if they’re struggling with their mental health in Noticing Mental Health Concerns for your Child.
Finally, as November arrives, let's thoughtfully consider our relationship with technology. While quality screen time can offer benefits, excessive use, especially passive scrolling, may negatively impact mental health, sleep, and social interaction. By setting healthy boundaries and modeling balanced technology use, we can guide our children towards developing positive digital habits. Explore the resources from School Mental Health Ontario for practical tips on helping your child navigate the digital world in a healthy way. Let's work together to cultivate a supportive and mindful fall season for everyone.
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 @MH_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
Doane House Hospice Free PA Day Art Club
Doane House is launching a new, free PA Day Art Club for kids, thanks to a United Way community action grant.
The Mariposa Art Club. The focus is on supporting children who are grieving or dealing with the serious illness of a parent, or loved one. Doane House offers new and exciting art activities that help children safely express their feelings and benefit from peer support. The group will meet every PA day at Doane House, starting on Friday September 26 from 1-3 p.m. (See Doane House Hospice for details!)
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 2025-2026, inclusive of YRDSB School Social Workers Peter Reid and Melissa Koifman.
Patricia Marra-Stapleton, M.Sc., C. Psych. Assoc.
Mental Health Lead
Paula Vicente M.S.W., R.S.W.
Assistant Coordinator of Mental Health
Cassandra Fezzuoglio M.S.W., R.S.W.
Assistant Coordinator of Mental Health
