We know you’ve liked us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, and have subscribes to our e-newsletter (of course!) but just in case you’ve missed them, here are some of the latest top stories about mental health and CMHA Kelowna from November, collected for your convenience. [Read more…]
Youth Leaders from School District 23 #GETLOUD for Mental Health
One of the biggest barriers faced by youth living with mental health issues is the stigma or shame that comes from silence and misunderstanding. On Thursday, November 5th, student leaders from throughout School District 23 gathered at the Hollywood Road Education Centre for a student Summit on mental health they called, “The Fire Within Us.” Overall, the message was clear: having open and honest conversations with friends and classmates is an important way of reducing that stigma.
Guest speakers, student presenters, and community organizations facilitated learning on themes of love, interconnectedness, empathy, and individuality. This year, the School District’s “Got Health?” campaigns are focused on mental health and student leaders are being challenged to create a plan to help their schools become mentally healthy. “We are so inspired by these student leaders. They understand the importance of promoting mental health through connection and, in many ways, are the best ones to tackle this critical focus area for our schools,” says Vianne Kintzinger, Director of Instruction with School District 23.
The Canadian Mental Health Association, Kelowna and District Branch, knew that this was the perfect venue to launch their #GETLOUD Pledge for schools. “The #GETLOUD Pledge is an initiative where individuals make the commitment to talk openly about mental health, show empathy and support, and share the pledge with friends and family, all to help break the silence that keeps many people from getting the help they need,” says Candace Giesbrecht, Director of Community Engagement at CMHA Kelowna. In addition to signing the #GETLOUD Pledge at the summit, students were given resources on how to create a plan to foster a mentally healthy environment at their schools. To support students, CMHA Kelowna is offering grants of up to $250 for each school to make those plans a reality, through the generous support of The Thomas Alan Budd Foundation.
Supporting change at the school level is an important step in fostering a mentally healthy Kelowna.
More information about this exciting project is coming soon!
In the meantime, please feel free to email CMHA Kelowna if your school would like to get involved.
You can also download our School Pledge Booklet here:
How to Improve Mental Health Literacy
Jasmin Yee has written a great article at Healthy Minds Canada called “I Wish I Had Learned Mental Health Literacy Earlier.” We recommend you give it a quick read. The article raises some interesting points, such as the importance of mental health literacy in being able to advocate for oneself, as well as being able to put words to our thoughts and feelings.
So, how can we foster mental health literacy in our children? We’ve compiled a few links to get you started.
For families and caregivers of children, youth, or young adults with mental health issues, the links below are valuable but don’t forget about our Family Navigation services. CMHA Kelowna’s Family Navigator can help you access the resources you need in our community and also hosts events and support groups.
- Grow Emotional Intelligence
- Teach Your Child to Describe Their Feelings
- Encourage Emotional Regulation
Plus, an article for the parents/caregivers: Emotional Agility
(Image for this blog from Homeless Hub. Please note that while we think the articles linked above contain some good information and tips, CMHA Kelowna does not necessarily endorse those websites or any products they may sell.)