Tag: mental health

Happy Thanksgiving!

What are you thankful for? Take some time this Thanksgiving to appreciate the good things in your life.

We have a long weekend with the day off of school on Monday. For many Canadians, this is a day of traditions.. Perhaps you will be eating a turkey, surrounded by friends and family. But will you take some time to “give thanks” on Thanksgiving?

Staff at Lord Tweedsmuir getting ready for a Thanksgiving meal.

Thankfulness is strongly correlated with positive mental health outcomes. According to Harvard Medical School: “In positive psychology research, gratitude is strongly and consistently associated with greater happiness. Gratitude helps people feel more positive emotions, relish good experiences, improve their health, deal with adversity, and build strong relationships.”

Some of us are incredibly privileged. Some would even say blessed. Over this Thanksgiving long weekend, we encourage you to take some time to consider the things in your life for which you are thankful.

Find out more:

Note: Life is full of challenges and hardships for all people. However, it may be worse for some, whose difficulties may be profound, perhaps even traumatic. In the midst of painful circumstances, it may be difficult to reflect on the things for which one might be thankful. Being grateful for the good things in life does not take away from the pain and trauma that may also be there. Gratitude alone is not a substitute for seeking help from mental health professionals.

Thanksgiving

What are you thankful for? Take some time this Thanksgiving to appreciate the good things in your life.

We have a long weekend with the day off of school on Monday. For many Canadians, this is a day of traditions.. Perhaps you will be eating a turkey, surrounded by friends and family. But will you take some time to “give thanks” on Thanksgiving?

Staff at Lord Tweedsmuir getting ready for a Thanksgiving meal.

Thankfulness is strongly correlated with positive mental health outcomes. According to Harvard Medical School: “In positive psychology research, gratitude is strongly and consistently associated with greater happiness. Gratitude helps people feel more positive emotions, relish good experiences, improve their health, deal with adversity, and build strong relationships.”

Some of us are incredibly privileged. Some would even say blessed. Over this Thanksgiving long weekend, we encourage you to take some time to consider the things in your life for which you are thankful.

Find out more:

Note: Life is full of challenges and hardships for all people. However, it may be worse for some, whose difficulties may be profound, perhaps even traumatic. In the midst of painful circumstances, it may be difficult to reflect on the things for which one might be thankful. Being grateful for the good things in life does not take away from the pain and trauma that may also be there. Gratitude alone is not a substitute for seeking help from mental health professionals.

Six Scientific Benefits of Reading More

From Mental Floss, an article on “six scientific reasons you should be picking up more books.”

  • Reading reduces stress.
  • Reading (especially reading books) may add years to your life.
  • Reading improves your language skills and knowledge of the world.
  • Reading enhances empathy.
  • Reading boosts creativity and flexibility.
  • Reading can help you transform as a person.

Read the entire article at Mental Floss.

SafeTeen

Screen Shot 2013-10-18 at 8.58.52 AM

SafeTeen is a powerful program for teens that covers a variety of topics including empowerment, conflict resolution, healthy relationships, bullying, self defense, sexual health and more.

Once again we are very pleased to host SafeTeen seminars in the school library.  Grade 10 boys will be attending SafeTeen seminars on December 7, 9 & 10. As such, the room will be closed to all drop-in and study block students, as well as to all female staff.

SafeTeen

Screen Shot 2013-10-18 at 8.58.52 AM

SafeTeen is a powerful program for teens that covers a variety of topics including empowerment, conflict resolution, healthy relationships, bullying, self defense, sexual health and more.

Once again we are very pleased to host SafeTeen seminars in the school library.  Grade 10 boys will be attending SafeTeen seminars on December 7, 9 & 10. As such, the room will be closed to all drop-in and study block students, as well as to all female staff.

SafeTeen

Screen Shot 2013-10-18 at 8.58.52 AM

SafeTeen is a tremendous program that covers a variety of topics including empowerment, conflict resolution, healthy relationships, bullying, self defense, sexual health and more.

Once again we are very pleased to host SafeTeen seminars in the school library.  Grade 9 girls will be attending SafeTeen seminars on November 25, 26 and 29. As such, the room will be closed to all drop-in and study block students, as well as to all male staff.

Rick Rypien & Mental Health

source: National Post

Rick Rypien was born on this day in 1984. Rypien was a hockey player and a fan favourite during his time with the Vancouver Canucks. Sadly, he took his own life in 2011. Rypien suffered from the devastating effects of depression and other mental health issues.

Former team-mates, friends and family have honoured the memory of Rick Rypien in many ways, not least through the connection to Foundry (formerly known as Mindcheck.)

To find out more about mental health and some of the resources available to those who need help with mental health, visit the Foundry.

 

World Mental Health Day

From the World Health Organziation:

Depression and anxiety disorders are common mental disorders that have an impact on our ability to work, and to work productively. Globally, more than 300 million people suffer from depression, the leading cause of disability. More than 260 million are living with anxiety disorders. Many of these people live with both. A recent WHO-led study estimates that depression and anxiety disorders cost the global economy US$ 1 trillion each year in lost productivity.

Mental health in the workplace is the theme of World Mental Health Day 2017. World Mental Health Day is observed on 10 October every year, with the overall objective of raising awareness of mental health issues and mobilizing efforts in support of better mental health. (WHO, 2017)

For more on World Mental Health Day:

Mental Health Commission of Canada

Government of Canada

World Federation for Mental Health

 

Rick Rypien

source: National Post

Rick Rypien was born on this day in 1984. Rypien was a hockey player and a fan favourite during his time with the Vancouver Canucks. Sadly, he took his own life in 2011.  Rypien suffered from the devastating effects of depression and other mental health issues.

Former team-mates, friends and family have honoured the memory of Rick Rypien in many ways, not least through the connection to Mindcheck.ca.  Go there to learn more about Rick Rypien and about Mental Health.

World Mental Health Day

From the World Health Organization:wmhd

“Thousands of people with mental health conditions around the world are deprived of their human rights. They are not only discriminated against, stigmatised and marginalised but are also subject to emotional and physical abuse in both mental health facilities and the community. Poor quality care due to a lack of qualified health professionals and dilapidated facilities leads to further violations.

The theme for this year’s World Mental Health Day, observed on 10 October, is “Dignity in mental health”. This year, WHO will be raising awareness of what can be done to ensure that people with mental health conditions can continue to live with dignity, through human rights oriented policy and law, training of health professionals, respect for informed consent to treatment, inclusion in decision-making processes, and public information campaigns.”

Find out more:

World Mental Health Day 2015

WHO Information Sheet

Canadian Mental Health Association

Rick Rypien

Rick RypienFormer Vancouver Canuck Rick Rypien was born on this day in 1984. He died in 2011. Rypien was a player of great promise, a smaller guy who delighted the crowd by fighting, and beating, bigger opponents. Sadly, the promise remained unfulfilled. He suffered from mental health problems, specifically depression, and tragically, he took his own life last summer. Please check out the website mindcheck.ca and learn more about how together we can fight back against depression, anxiety and other mental health issues.