Welcome to Mental Health Literacy   Click to listen highlighted text! Welcome to Mental Health Literacy

Burnaby School District

Category: Connection

Resource Round Up!

Family Smart FREE Virtual Events for Parents

May 2nd 6:30-7:30pm PDT
When we experience relationship challenges with our children, it can be stressful for all involved, leaving parents confused, frustrated, even walking on eggshells. This one-hour presentation will provide techniques to support parents to heal relational ruptures with kids and teens using an emotion-focused approach.
Adele Lafrance, Ph.D., is a clinical psychologist, author, scientist, and developer of emotion-focused treatment modalities, including Emotion-Focused Family Therapy. She has published extensively in the field of psychotherapy, emotion and health, including a clinical manual to support families published by the American Psychological Association.  To register click here.

May 3rd 12:00-1:00pm PDT
An honest conversation with parents and caregivers who are struggling to connect with their kids. We know what it’s like because we’ve been there. Join FamilySmart Parent Peer Support Workers and we will share strategies to build, and rebuild, connections even when it is complex. This conversation is facilitated by parents with lived experience.
Diane Evans, FamilySmart Parent Peer Support Worker, BC Children’s Hospitals Kelty Mental Health Resource Centre.
Tammy Music, Family Smart Parent Peer Support Worker, Surrey Memorial Hospital’s Child & Adolescent Psychiatric Stabilization Unit (CAPSU) and Short Term Assessment Response Treatment (START) Fraser North.
Victoria Keddis, Manager & Facilitator, FamilySmart. To register click here.

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Mental Health Day and Mental Health Awareness Month

It’s October: Mental Health Day and Mental Health Awareness Month!  

World Mental Health Day was first recognized October 10th, 1992.    World Mental Health Day started by the World Health Organization to increase awareness and decrease stigma.  Now it is about more than advocacy.  It is an opportunity to empower people on a global scale to look after their own mental health and provide support to others.  This year’s theme is ‘Mental health care for all: let’s make it a reality’.  In BC have access to free community services like the Foundry, Crisis Centre and more.  However, there are still gaps in care despite the universal nature and the magnitude of mental ill health, the gap between demand for mental health services and supply remains substantial.  The serious gaps that still exist in mental health care are a result of chronic under-investment over many decades in mental health promotion, prevention and care.  Stigma, discrimination and human rights abuses of people with mental health conditions remain widespread. On average, countries spend just 2% of their national health budgets on mental health. However, there is good news too! Some of the most common mental health conditions, depression and anxiety, can be treated with talking therapies, medication, or a combination of these. For every US$ 1 invested in scaled-up treatment for depression and anxiety, there is a return of US$ 5.  For every US$ 1 invested in evidence-based treatment for [substance] dependence, there is a return of up to US$ 7 in reduced crime and criminal justice costs (World Health Organization).

In our district, we are working to build knowledge, strengthen community and reducing barriers for accessing support with: youth and staff driven Mental Health and Wellness Councils, DSAC, Mental Health Literacy embedded in PHE curriculum, a Mental Health Literacy Team and more.  If you would like more information, click the link to see a two minute video to see introduction videos to some of our Mental Health Team’s favourite blitzes.   If you want to see more check out our full list of blitzes from the drop down menu!

Healthy Relationships

Mental Health Literacy

Importance of Play

Gratitude

Mental Health and Covid

For more resources check out printables for your classroom, teacher resources, parents/guardian resources and student resources.  If you have suggestions of helpful resources, and topics to explore for future posts let us know below in the comments.

Remember to Play

Spring Break is almost here!  Over the last year students have shown that they are resilient, can find creative ways to have fun and adapt to new schedules and virtual learning.  To help students re-charge, have fun and continue to build healthy skills over the break it is important to remember to play!

Play can trigger the release of endorphins (the body’s feel good chemical) that contributes to a feeling of well-being and relieves stress.  Sharing laughter and fun with others, can foster empathy, compassion, trust and intimacy with others.  Play can boost your energy vitality and even improve your resistance to disease! Continue reading

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