September, 2015
Student Mental Health and Well-Being
Newsletter
Welcome to the TCDSB Student Mental
Health and Well-Being Newsletter! As we
begin the 2015/2016 school year our hope is
to provide you with helpful information and
ideas to support student’s mental health.
Please feel free to share and pass it along.
Many students feel anxious or stressed
about going back to school. These are
normal feelings during times of change and
transition. Whether students are starting
school for the first time, attending a new
school, or transitioning back to their
previous routine, parents and teachers can
help.
 Ensure that students get enough
sleep and eat a balanced diet. This
is important for brain function,
mood, and the ability to focus.
 Let students know that they are not
alone. Remind them that many
students feel anxious during periods
of transition. Teacher and parents
can share their own story in order to
reassure students that feeling
anxious is a very natural feeling.
 Focus on the positive aspects of
school, such as seeing friends,
involvement in school activities, and
new learning.
 In the classroom, have students
partner up with a peer. Having a
buddy that they can rely on will help
them feel more comfortable.
 Assign a duty. Students feel that they
are an important member of the
classroom when given a responsibility.
It lets them know that you have
confidence in them and gives them a
sense of purpose.
 Read a book about feeling anxious and
how to cope. This will help to
normalize feelings and initiate
conversations about positive coping
strategies.
 Establish clear and consistent routines
and expectations. This will help to
decrease anxiety by providing a sense of
predictability. (source:
k6educators.com)
“Be anxious for nothing, but in
everything by prayer and supplication
with thanksgiving let your requests be
made known to God. And the peace of
God, which surpasses all comprehension,
will guard your hearts and your minds in
Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7
;
September, 2015
Social Emotional Learning Can Improve Academic Performance and
Reduce Distress
Social Emotional
Learning (SEL) is the process
for helping students and adults
develop the fundamental skills
for being effective. We can
help students to improve
academic performance,
reduces emotional distress,
and improves attitudes and
behavior by developing SEL.
setting goals.
Relationship Skills:
Promote the establishment
and maintenance of
healthy relationships by
encouraging clear
communication, active
listening, cooperation,
resisting inappropriate
social pressure, negotiating
conflict, and seeking and
offering help.
Teach students to identify
feelings by recognizing
and labeling them and to
recognize their strengths.
Self Management:
Teach students strategies
to regulate their emotions,
thoughts, and behaviours
by managing stress,
controlling impulses,
motivating them, and

 Oct. 29, 2015
 Nov. 25,2015
 Spring dates to
follow
Check out PAL for
more details
(Durlak et al; Greenberg
et al; Collaborative for
Academics, Social and
Emotional Learning)
Mental Health Initiatives 2015-16
TRAINING DATES:
SAFE TALK Suicide
Awareness Training:
Assist students to make
constructive and
respectful choices about
their behavior by
discussing ethical
standards, safety
concerns, social norms,
well-being of others, and
consequences of
behavior.
Promote social awareness
by encouraging students to
take the perspective of
other and empathize putting yourself in other
people’s shoes.
Self Awareness:

Responsible Decision Making:
Social Awareness:

TCDSB Mental Health
and Well-Being Strategy
2015-2018 to be released
soon
Support for schools in
developing a mentally
healthy classroom. See
Supporting Minds on the
Ministry’s website and
edugains.ca.

Inclusion of mental health
to school SLIPs

Building partnerships with
community agencies,
families, and parishes.
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September, 2015
Fostering The Family:
The TCDSB Pastoral Plan
2015-18 “ Together With one
Voice: Harmonizing Our Faith
Through Family , Parish, and
School” 2015 focuses on the
FAMILY
Spending time with family by
engaging in fun activities
together helps to strengthen
feelings of closeness, promotes
attachment, and encourages
communication. (sources: G.
Neufeld; M.Ungar).Here are
some activities that you may
consider!
 Have regular family
dinners
 Go for a nature walk
 Play a game or sport
activity
 Attend mass together
Suggested Reading and Websites:
Books
The Invisible String: Partice Karst
The Kissing Hand: Audrey Penn
Is Worry Worrying You?: Ferida Wolff & Harriet May
Savitz
Cool Cats, Calm Kids: Relaxation and Stress
Management for Young People: Mary Williams
Fighting Invisible Tigers: A Stress Management Guide
for Teens: Earl Hipp
Websites
Collaborative Association for Social and Emotional
Learning: www.casel.org
ABC’s of Mental Health (Hincks-Dellcrest Centre)
www.brocku/ca/teacherresource/ABC/index.php
Support
Your school’s Social worker or psychology staff
A Laugh A Day…
Did you know that having
a good laugh helps to
relieve physical tension
and stress? It triggers the
release of endorphins (the
body’s natural feel good
chemicals) and promotes
an overall sense of wellbeing. INFUSE laughter
into your home and
classroom. It may just be
the best medicine!
Patricia Marra-Stapleton, Psychological Associate/Mental Health Lead
patricia.marra-stapleton@tcdsb.org
Marci Buhagiar, Psychological Associate: marci.buhagiar@tcdsb.org
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