We hope everyone had the opportunity to enjoy some sunshine and time with their family last weekend. Did you know that exposure to sunlight has a positive effect on mental health? It is believed that sun exposure may cause the brain to increase the release of serotonin, which is associated with boosting mood and helping people feel calm and focused. It also helps your body produce melatonin, which could help you get more sleep at night.
Once again, we have new Mental Health learning opportunities and resources to share with you this week. We will also continue to share the links to last week’s videos in case you didn’t have time to watch them last week.
Parent Presentations
This week’s presentation focuses on Anxiety, how you can help a child with anxiety and coping strategies. It is presented by Successful Families, Successful Kids Wellness Coach Brittney Streeter. This video will be available for viewing until Wednesday, June 3. Anxiety
In case you missed last week’s presentation on the Stress Recipe, here is the link. It will be available for viewing until Wednesday, May 27. Stress Recipe
quaranTEAM Connect
This week’s quaranTEAM Connect was created by Wellness Coach Melanie Fersovitch. Click HERE to watch with your family! This video will be available for viewing until Wednesday, June 3.
Each week one of our Wellness Coaches will create a new quaranTEAM Connect video for families to watch together. Each video includes fun activities that promote mental wellness and connection.
If you missed last week’s video you can watch it HERE. This video will be available for viewing until Wednesday, May 27.
SFSK Wellness Chat
We are changing our weekly Wellness Chat to Wednesday evenings from 6:30-7 p.m.
If you have questions for our Wellness Coaches or would just like to chat about this week’s videos or other Mental Health topics, please join us on Google Meet.
Here is the link to join this week’s chat: meet.google.com/ern-ordi-iqd
Mindful Minutes
Follow us on Facebook and Instagram @nlpsab to see a Mindful Minute each Wednesday presented by one of our SFSK Wellness Coaches. Each Mindful Minute focuses on a different mindfulness technique to share with your families!
We will be sharing the videos from previous weeks on our website. Check out our Mindful Minutes page to see the Lemon Squeezing video from last week!
Mental Health Links and Resources
Each week we will be sharing links to resources. Some will align with the week’s Parent Presentation or QuaranTEAM Connects videos. Others may focus on a different Mental Health topic. We will also be sharing printable resources created by our Mental Health team.
Here are this week’s links and resources:
- Anxiety Canada
Offers anxiety resources for youth and caregivers including The Importance of Self-Care - Mental Health Meter
Resource developed by the Canadian Mental Health Association to help you understand more about how mentally fit you are. - Grounding Techniques
The Grounding Techniques worksheet describes four skills used for controlling intense emotional experiences and regaining mental focus. Grounding techniques work by focusing attention on the present moment, and bringing attention back to reality. - Trauma Informed Parenting During our "Staycation"
Tips for keeping families rooted in safety and growing in connection during the COVID-19 quarantine.
- Family Connection Conversation Starters - Week Two
Use these questions to connect at meals, after activities, and at any available window of opportunity. You can even cut them out and place them into a family connect jar! - Popsicle Fidget Sticks
Make fidgets from popsicle sticks, beads, and pipe cleaners that you can use to focus attention or calm down an emotion.
Don’t forget to check out the resources in the Mental Health section of our website. We are adding new links and resources on a weekly basis.
- COVID-19 Resources
- Successful Families, Successful Kids Resources for Families
- Mindful Minutes
- NLPS Mental Health Resources
Feedback
We would love to get some feedback on the programming we have been offering. If you have watched one of our videos or taken part in a Wellness Chat we would appreciate it if you would fill out this short SURVEY to let us know what you think, what else you would like us to offer, and how we can improve.