Fostering Mental Health and Well-Being for Children and Adolescents Raya Barry, MSW, RSW https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yf5o-d0qg1g&list=PLUt5ejxwSrG5lSkqEUl4THKdP6cV5Hn-x

Introduction

Mental Health vs Mental Illness What is the difference between mental health and mental illness ?

Mental Health World Health Organization Centre for Addiction and Mental Health “a state of well-being in which every individual realizes his or her own potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to his or her own community” Mental health involves finding balance in all aspects of your life: physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. It is the ability to enjoy life and deal with the challenges you face everyday - whether that involves making choices and decisions, adapting to and coping in difficult situations, or talking about your needs and desires”

Mental Health Problems Mental health problems refer to changes in a person's ability to cope and function. These changes may occur at any age for men or women and at any time in a person's life. -CAMH

Mental Illness “Mental illness is the term used to refer to mental health problems that are diagnosed and treated by mental health professionals. In the medical professions, they are also called "mental disorders" . This would include such problems as depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, social phobia, eating disorders, schizophrenia, and personality disorders.” -CAMH

The Mental Health Continuum Source: Pathways Health and Research Centre, Dr. Paula Barrett Supporting Minds: An Educator’s Guide to Promoting Students’ Mental Health and Well-being. https://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/document/reports/SupportingMinds.pdf

Stress Stress is part of every day life for both kids and adults

Stressors What causes our children to feel stressed ? Worrying about… Friends School work Social Media Changing bodies Family change (divorce, move, death of a family member) Sports or activities Feeling embarrassed or scrutinized

How can we foster mental health and well-being? Teach children to talk about their feelings. Allow them to experience stress Support them through challenging situations Teach positive coping skills

Talking about feelings Role Model Read about feelings Teens - extended support network

Talking about Feelings: LISTEN Provide a safe place to express difficult emotions; sadness, loss, grief, fear Image source

ACTIVE LISTENING Show you are listening : put away distractions Be able to repeat back what you heard Do not plan what you are going to say Paraphrase and Check in Ask Questions ie. How does that make you feel? Do you think there is anything that might help? What could I do that would be most helpful?

Talking about feelings: Time Family Meeting In the car Night in or out Home night Dinner Bed time

Practice makes perfect Coping with Stress Practice makes perfect Opportunities to deal with reasonable and developmentally appropriate stress: disappointment, failure and attempting challenging situations is an important part of learning how to cope with stress children need to experience disappointment and learn to cope with small disappointments throughout their life we learn from our mistakes some activities are not an option and parents have an important role in helping their children through these activities such as going to school

Risk Taking/Being Brave What kind of risk? Helping your child have a balance view of the world Check in with yourself Media Doing things in steps – Bruno Mars https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pWp6kkz-pnQ

Supporting our children Listen and Validate their FEELINGs Ask questions explore options

Exploring Healthy Coping Options Provide information and options. Do not dictate. What can I do when I feel ………..? What do you do?

Healthy Coping Taking a break Reading/Writing/Drawing Nature Exercise Limiting social media and screen time

Healthy Coping Talking to someone: Who? Calming exercises- breathing, muscle relaxation Using technology : There’s an APP for that http://www.tvdsb.ca/programs.cfm?subpage=308256 and Mindyourmind.ca Positive Self Talk https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pC4WTc3CT5w https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kGusd0HKvtY

ENCOURAGE WELLNESS: BALANCE Sleep Balanced diet Exercise Social activities

Community Resources Crisis and Intake- Talk in clinics Kids Help phone MindyourMind.ca or anxietybc.com Family Doctor/Family Health Team EAP Middlesex Health Unit CMHA School Social Worker or School Support Counsellor

QUESTIONS?

YOU’VE GOT THIS! THANK YOU https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yf5o-d0qg1g&list=PLUt5ejxwSrG5lSkqEUl4THKdP6cV5Hn-x