Canadian Mental Health Week is May 6-12. This year’s theme is compassion and focuses on the healing power of kindness and connection. Schools are encouraged to sign up for Canadian Mental Health Week updates for more information and to access free resources, including the Mental Health Week School Toolkit.
The ministry, in partnership with BC Children’s Hospital, will be hosting a free webinar on May 8 at 12 pm PDT, introducing a new resource, Language Matters: An Introductory Guide for Understanding Mental Health and Substance Use. This guide is meant to help facilitate conversations, build common understandings, and support practice by defining and discussing key mental health and substance use terms and topics. It is designed for educators, administrators, school support staff and school community partners. To learn more and to access additional mental health resources, go to the erase mental health and well-being web page.
FamilySmart will also be hosting an event on National Child & Youth Mental Health Day on May 7 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm PDT with Kim Barthel focusing on self-compassion, self-awareness and knowledge. Kim will introduce the basics of attunement, attachment theory, trauma-sensitive practice, sustainable self-care, and above all, the power of connection and inclusion. You may register and find more information on the FamilySmart event page.