1. Fostering Mental Health and Well-Being for Children and Adolescents
Raya Barry, MSW, RSW

2. Introduction

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

4. 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”

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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.

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

9. 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

10. 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

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

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

13. 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?

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

15. 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

16. 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

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

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

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

20. Healthy Coping Talking to someone: Who?
Calming exercises- breathing, muscle relaxation
Using technology : There’s an APP for that and Mindyourmind.ca
Positive Self Talk

21. ENCOURAGE WELLNESS: BALANCE
Sleep
Balanced diet
Exercise
Social activities

22. 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

23. QUESTIONS?

24. YOU’VE GOT THIS! THANK YOU