Embracing Winter: Building Warmth and Resilience
December: Navigating the Holidays
There are many different holidays celebrated in December that can be exciting but overwhelming for students, with disruptions to routines. Help your child by maintaining consistent sleep and meal schedules where possible. Encourage open conversations about their feelings—whether it’s excitement or anxiety—and validate their experiences. Simple activities like family game nights or crafting can foster connection and reduce stress. Practice self-care as a family by setting realistic expectations and prioritizing quality time over perfection.
January: Getting Back to school
After the winter break, January can feel daunting. Kids might struggle to get back into the school rhythm. Help them set small goals, like finishing a book or joining a club, and encourage them on every step. Try simple mindfulness tricks, like a quick breathing exercise before bed, to ease any winter blues. Check out School Mental Health Ontario for awesome ideas on helping kids transition back to school.
February: Connection
Encourage your kids to spend time with friends or join you for a walk. Have open conversations and share how you handle tough days. Modeling healthy habits, like putting phones down for a real chat, goes a long way. Take a look at School Mental Health Ontario for tips on building those social-emotional skills.
Supportive Resources
For more community resources, check out: YRDSB Mental Health Resource Page. Continue to check out the YRDSB website for updated information and be sure to follow YRDSB Mental Health on 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
Youth Wellness Hub Ontario - NEW! Maple Location
- Across Ontario, there are 27 YWHO Hub Networks that provide high-quality integrated youth services to support the well-being of young people aged 12 to 25, including mental health and substance use supports, primary health care, community and social supports, and more.
Caregivers
Join School Mental Health Ontario’s Parent and Caregiver Collaboration Group
- The Parent and Caregiver Collaboration Group (PCCG) is a volunteer group of parents and caregivers from across the province working alongside School Mental Health Ontario (SMH-ON) to:
- share their ideas to inform resources and tools that support Ontario school boards to enhance student mental health and well-being
- offer ideas on how to best reach and support parents and caregivers in the province with good evidence-informed information about mental health and well-being
- amplify underrepresented voices of parents and caregivers to inform the work we do in creating identity-affirming resources and supports
School Mental Health Ontario - By Your Side Webinar Series
- Offering a free webinar series designed to help parents and caregivers navigate important topics related to substance use and addictive behaviours
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
York Hills Centre for Children, Youth and Families
- Please visit York Hills 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
