In collaboration with our school council, we hosted a virtual presentation called Supporting Mental Health in a Pandemic. The presenters were our school social worker, Ariel Burns, and school psychologist, Marie Pelletier. For anyone that was unable to join us for the presentation, the recording is available through this link - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Bl9RnmBl6MkKYFjcxZWrkQqef6fUZA_9/view?usp=sharing

After viewing the presentation, we ask that you please complete this Google Form to provide feedback - https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd9tnLUqs3GRBp1bSp8l1vEs895hbLDZyvyVQ89EkhfLezjYg/viewform?usp=sf_link

Additionally, Ariel and Marie have shared the following resources for those that are in need of immediate support, or are interested in learning more about the topic that was presented:

24/7 crisis support:

• Youth Services Bureau- Crisis Line (613-260-2360) or chat.ysb.ca to chat online

• Kids Help Phone (1-800-668-6868) or text CONNECT to 686868 to chat via text message (or https://kidshelpphone.ca/) 

• Ottawa Distress Centre (613-238-3311) or 

• Ottawa Crisis Line (613-722-6914)

Free support for parents and children/ teens (same-day or next-day virtual counseling appointments available):

• For parents/ children under 12: Crossroads Children’s Mental Health Centre (https://crossroadschildren.ca/)

• For parents/ youth ages 12+: Youth Services Bureau (https://www.ysb.ca/)

• Counseling for all ages: Counselling Connect (https://www.counsellingconnect.org/)

Informative websites on mental health and support:

• School Mental Health Ontario - information sheets for both youth and parents (https://smho-smso.ca/)

• eMentalHealth.ca-  “Info Sheets” on specific Mental Health topics & Screening Tools (https://www.ementalhealth.ca/)

• Parent’s Lifeline of Eastern Ontario (PLEO)- peer support for parents of children with mental health challenges (https://www.pleo.on.ca/)

Videos on stress and COVID-19:

• Pandemic Parenting Playbook: Practical Strategies to Help Your Teen with Mental Health Needs (CHEO) https://youtu.be/RAJkaNUMUYg

• Pandemic Parenting Playbook: Practical Strategies to Help Your Child with Mental Health Needs (CHEO) https://youtu.be/RlzjWdIKvcQ 

• Brainsmart - Managing Stress (BBC) https://youtu.be/hnpQrMqDoqE 

Videos on screen time:

• Screen Time during the Pandemic (CHEO Dr. Michael Cheng, OCDSB Speaker Series) https://youtu.be/7tpdOE_riUc 

• Should I be Worried about Screen Time?  (Natasha Parent) http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001JajG8dzIR3eIrk2lFe-mIY2xNP7k2GamKrWE2LDP0on2fAKZlwdR1pnMrITCVEIasYYVIF_Ogj2JKlZrhgJALuQ4Sbo4SKLigYnZ6pnID_xtrx1GTohhCbAqxLri79De2L0Pb3EfvA79BthxzQRN-QsYzhoVse_uBI8L5Fgivhs-9v9LFcEfFmZg27pljMkTNqeK3Eq0Mf38VOnJMXlo8bAhu1ul1MuT9-q6lSfaItE=&c=JN7FxyhZ0rxlFnsbEoUkOnu-Gq15jzvPgTi_8w0prxkFgoPS8aHb9w==&ch=hLS7M1nV9fDPs-mGu3UF3LHbi0kbDZ7ITyC5cVK5DDj64XrsiLvjyQ==

• The Problem with Parents, Kids, and Social Media  (The Atlantic) https://youtu.be/RAFSrGX0mxk 

We are extremely grateful for this initiative from our school council, and the professional support of Marie and Ariel.