In this Blog we are pleased to highlight our staff commitment to fostering a community that prioritizes positive mental health and well-being. Research has shown that about one in five children and youth in Canada struggle with mental health challenges which impact their daily lives, including their academic pursuits. This further supports the importance of promoting mental health and well-being in our schools and in our classrooms. A mentally healthy school is a learning environment where each student feels like they belong.  

Thank you to the ongoing efforts of our passionate mental health team and all of our staff for all of their efforts in creating schools and classrooms that honour and value our students and one another. This Blog will provide a glimpse into the many initiatives driving positive change within our schools and community including innovative programs like SNAP, MindUp, and Kids Have Stress Too, the new Grade 7 & 8 Mental Health modules, and vital community partnerships.

Meet the 2023-24 Mental Health Team

As a school board, we are committed to supporting positive student mental health by having the experts to identify student needs and to activate the appropriate services and supports when needed. 

Central to our efforts is the Sudbury Catholic District School Board’s dedicated mental health team. Comprising of seven Registered Social Workers & Psychotherapists, 3 Child & Youth Workers, and one Manager of Mental Health services, this team stands as a beacon of support for our students. Working hand-in-hand with school administration and staff, they ensure that mental health remains a top priority across all grades, providing valuable resources, teachings and guidance throughout the year.

While you will see examples of their work throughout this blog, the School Mental Health Team also produces a newsletter offering helpful information such as advice and strategies for students, staff, parents, and guardians about different topics in mental health. 

Spring Showers & Mental Wellness: April & May 2024

Latest Mental Health Newsletter

Managing Stress: January & February 2024

View More Mental Health Newsletters

School Mental Health Ontario Introduces Mental Health Literacy Modules for Grades 7/8  

The Ontario government has introduced a new mandatory mental health-focused curriculum for students developed by School Mental Health Ontario. Grades 7 and 8 students participate in a series of modules that support the existing Health and Physical Education curriculum. These modules help students to learn about: 

• Mental health and mental illness and how they are connected. 
• Strategies to manage stress and take care of our mental health. 
• Ways to make healthy decisions about substance use.  
• How to help reduce stigma related to mental illness.  
• When it might be more than a bad day and how to seek support for ourselves and our friends, should we need it.  

To learn more about this, School Mental Health Ontario has provided a brief video  an overview of the modules and content.  

Mental Health Team Hosts HEADSTRONG Community event

Earlier this year, groups of students from Marymount Academy, St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School, Bishop Alexander Carter CSS, and St. Charles College came together for the 2023 HEADSTRONG Youth Mental Health Summit, further demonstrating our commitment to mental health advocacy within the SCDSB community. 

HEADSTRONG, a renowned anti-stigma initiative, empowers students to embody courage, reach out for support, and amplify their voices on mental health matters. The day-long summit served as a platform for education, community-building, and catalyzing transformative actions to bolster mental health and wellness across our schools. Following the event, student representatives from each school returned with a vital mission: to disseminate the knowledge and ideas gained from the summit within their respective school wellness committees. 

Since the event, the Headstrong movement has remained steadfast in its advocacy for mental health and well-being within SCDSB. Sudbury Catholic was thrilled to be this year’s lead on hosting this annual event. It was a success!

According to Board Psychotherapist and the 2023-24 Headstrong Committee lead, Tasha Breau, this unique gathering served as a platform for students to exchange insights, ideas, and experiences relating to mental wellness. Through collaborative discussions and interactive sessions, participants had the opportunity to learn from one another, and gained valuable perspectives on effective strategies for promoting positive mental health within their school communities following the summit.

“Throughout the day, students were encouraged to showcase the wellness activities they’ve implemented or participated in, whether through photos, videos, or simply sharing their ideas. This exchange of experiences inspired creativity and innovation in mental health initiatives, fostering a supportive network among mental health committees across schools.” – Tasha Breau, SCDSB Psychotherapist 

A Recap of Mental Health Initiatives in K-6 Schools

February was a month of excitement and growth for the students at Immaculate Conception. Along with holding individual student sessions, the school’s Psychotherapist Tasha Breau led the engaging “Kids Have Stress Too” program in Ms. Ferlotte’s grade 5/6 class and the transformative “MindUP” program in Mrs. Stevens’ 4/5 class.

“Kids Have Stress Too” is a remarkable program developed by the Psychology Foundation of Canada, aimed at empowering parents, caregivers, and educators to recognize and effectively address children’s stress. Meanwhile, “MindUP” fosters a positive classroom environment by combining elements of neuroscience, positive psychology, mindfulness, and social-emotional learning (SEL) to enhance students’ focus, self-regulation, resilience, and overall well-being.

Immaculate Conception created a Valentine’s Day statement wall centred around the theme of self-love. All students were encouraged to write or draw self-love statements or images for the special wall.

“Witnessing the students’ enthusiasm for mental health education and their commitment to integrating these skills into their daily lives was truly inspiring.” – Jodi Cunningham, Immaculate Conception School Principal.

At St. Charles Elementary, they emphasized achieving balance and focused on different ways to nurture the mind, body and spirit of students throughout their school community. 

• Across various classrooms, yoga became an integral part of the daily routine, promoting physical and mental well-being. In Ms. Simpson’s FDK class, students engaged in daily yoga sessions after lunch, utilizing specially curated videos tailored for children. These sessions not only encouraged calm movement but also instilled the values of strength, balance, and confidence, followed by moments of quiet reflection to promote self-regulation and mindfulness.

• In Mme. Cozzolino-Lesperance’s grade 5 class, students were provided with a calming corner equipped with resources to manage overwhelming emotions. Here, they found solace in books, mindful coloring pages, activities, and breathing techniques. Additionally, the introduction of a “worry box” offered students a tangible outlet to express and alleviate their worries, emphasizing the importance of seeking support when needed—a crucial step towards reducing stress and enhancing mental well-being.

• Lastly, in February, the Rams Wellness committee organized a student appreciation day, where every student enjoyed a cup of hot chocolate. The smiles and laughter shared that day epitomized the spirit of compassion and unity within the school.

St. Francis School: Empowering Children with SNAP

Ms. Julie and Ms. Jamie from the SCDSB’s Mental Health and Behaviour Teams collaborated to implement the SNAP program at St. Francis School. SNAP (Stop Now And Plan), is an evidence-based cognitive-behavioural model that equips children and parents with essential emotional regulation, self-control, and problem-solving skills. By encouraging children to pause and think before acting, SNAP aims to foster a positive school environment and mitigate behavioural issues, ultimately promoting academic success and personal growth.

St. Anne School: Nurturing Creativity and Mindfulness

St. Anne School has created a new Positive Doodle Journal Club providing students with a platform to express their thoughts and emotions through mindful journaling. Through weekly doodling sessions and simple journal prompts, students are encouraged to unleash their creativity, foster self-expression, and deepen their connection with their inner selves—a journey towards greater mindfulness and emotional well-being.

St. David School: Spreading Positivity Locally

Under the guidance of Ms. Lepage, the grade 3 students at St. David School embarked on a heartwarming initiative, decorating coffee sleeves for patrons at ‘Books and Beans’. Their thoughtful gestures have brought countless smiles to the community, thanks to the supportive environment fostered by ‘Books and Beans’. We extend our deepest gratitude to them for embracing our students’ creativity and allowing them to spread some positivity in downtown Sudbury. 

Community Partnerships Promoting Mental Health

We continually strengthen our ties with local community partners, underscoring our commitment to fostering a safe and nurturing educational environment for our students to thrive in. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our esteemed community partners for their steadfast support.

Youth Wellness Hub Presentation at St. Benedict

St. Benedict had the privilege of hosting Amanda Gates, the coordinator of Sudbury’s Youth Wellness Hub (YWH). This session was held to help introduce students to the array of services offered at the hub. From mental and physical health to housing and psychiatric services, the YWH provides comprehensive support for youth aged 12-25. Students were encouraged to explore the hub’s offerings on weekdays between 12-7 pm, free of charge. We express our sincere appreciation to Amanda and her team at YWH Sudbury for their valuable contributions.

Health Canada: Know More Opioids Presentation Provided to Secondary Students

In collaboration with Health Canada, our Social Worker, Mrs. Jennifer Chapman, organized an impactful event titled “Know More Opioids” at St. Benedict CSS and Marymount Academy. Over the course of a day, classes spanning grades nine through twelve participated in this immersive experience, gaining direct insights into substance use issues including stigma, opioids, fentanyl, opioid overdoses, and naloxone. We commend Health Canada for their proactive approach in educating our students on critical matters of public health.

Holy Trinity Begins 8-Week Mindfulness Program – Public Health Sudbury & Districts 

In February, Holy Trinity teamed up with Public Health Sudbury and Districts to foster mental well-being among their community by embarking on an eight-week journey focused on mindfulness. Once a week, experts from Public Health Sudbury and Districts guided both staff and students from grades 5 and 6 through mindfulness practices.

Mindfulness is a powerful tool for nurturing mental health, helping individuals to cultivate awareness of the present moment and manage stress more effectively. 

“By integrating mindfulness into our school community, we aim to provide valuable skills and support for coping with emotions like stress, and anxiety.” Say’s Colin Lapalm, Principal of Holy Trinity School. “Both students and staff are excited to take part in this 8-week journey. Thank you to Public Health Sudbury for providing this opportunity to foster a greater understanding of mindfulness at our school.” 

January 25, 2024 was a busy day at Sudbury Catholic Schools as students from kindergarten to grade 12 enthusiastically participated in conversations on Bell Let’s Talk Day – a day devoted to breaking down the barriers surrounding mental health. Our school communities along with staff from the Catholic Education Centre came together in a vibrant display of solidarity, dressed in blue and white to signify our collective dedication to fostering mental health awareness.

Here’s how some of our schools embraced the spirit of Bell Let’s Talk Day:

St. Charles College: On Bell Let’s Talk day, St. Charles College came together as a school community to raise awareness for mental health and combat stigma. Supported by the school’s Registered Psychotherapist, Ms. Ana Santos, the student council crafted signs with uplifting messages to remind the SCC community that they are never alone in their struggles, and silence is not the only option. Their campaign supported the message that by reaching out and asking for help, people have the power to effect real change in their lives. 

St. Paul: For Bell’s Let’s Talk Day, St. Paul school community dressed in blue and white, symbolizing their unwavering support for mental health. The FDK FI class, led by Mme Nodwell and Mme Jeanne, participated in a meaningful discussion emphasizing the importance of self-esteem and kindness. Through a heartwarming activity, students exchanged compliments, nurturing a culture of positivity and empathy. Bravo, les amis! 

Pius XII: Ms. Schiafone’s grade 5/6 class began Bell Let’s Talk Day learning about positive affirmation. Each student penned down a cherished aspect of themselves and crafted their own affirmations to share with others. By cultivating self-compassion, students strengthened their emotional resilience, while helping them to embrace their uniqueness with pride. Later, grade 6 students participated in yoga and meditation, recognizing it as a helpful tool to manage stress and feelings of being overwhelmed. 

The spirit of Pink Shirt Day soared high in Sudbury Catholic Schools. On February 28, both staff and students alike proudly wore pink attire to help support the annual anti-bullying effort. By wearing pink, we were able to join a broader movement to promote a powerful message of kindness, acceptance, and inclusion in Canada. 

Standing Up Against Bullying: Pius XII Welcomes GSPS for Pink Shirt Day

For Pink Shirt Day, students at Pius XII had the privilege of hosting Constable Deloges from the Greater Sudbury Police Services, who delivered an insightful presentation on the profound impact of bullying. This special event not only promoted anti-bullying but also fostered a deeper understanding among students about the complexities surrounding mental health and the importance of practicing kindness by being a buddy and not a bully.

During the presentation, Constable Deloges emphasized the various forms that bullying can take and the detrimental effects it can have on mental health. From verbal taunts to cyberbullying, students were reminded that bullying can manifest in different ways, often causing emotional distress and trauma for the victims. The presentation highlighted the significance of reaching out for help and being a supportive friend to those who may be experiencing bullying. By promoting the idea of being a buddy rather than a bully, students were encouraged to create a safe and inclusive environment where everyone feels supported and valued.

Staff Appreciation Event at Science North

In November, the Sudbury Catholic District School Board Wellness Committee hosted a Staff Appreciation event at Science North. With 101 attendees, staff enjoyed an IMAX screening of Jane Goodall’s “Reasons for Hope” which highlighted Sudbury’s efforts in regreening. The IMAX was followed by engaging activities led by Science North’s experts or “Blue Coats.” The event promoted exploration, relaxation, social interaction, and of course science appreciation. Thanks to Science North and the members of the staff wellness committee for making this memorable experience possible, as well as all our attendees who participated in this event. 

If You Need Support

You are not alone. If you need support, please reach out to your doctor, family member or a trusted adult. You can find a variety of mental health and well-being resources and supports available at school and in the community highlighted on the Mental Health and Well-Being section of our website.

Mental Health & Well-Being

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Safe & Accepting Schools

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Conclusion

Defined by the Canadian Mental Health Association of Ontario, positive mental health is more than the absence of a mental health condition or illness: it’s about fostering emotional resilience, spiritual well-being, and encouraging a profound sense of dignity and connection.

At Sudbury Catholic Schools, we embrace this definition, integrating it into our practice. As I reflect on the amazing undertakings presented in this blog, I know that it is only a sample of the supportive work that takes place in our schools every day. It is evident that our schools play a pivotal role in nurturing the development of students, fostering resilience, and promoting mental well-being. By investing in programs and resources that prioritize emotional intelligence, mindfulness, and self-care, we continue to empower students to navigate life’s challenges with confidence and compassion. 

As we march forward into spring, I hope we can continue to cultivate learning environments where mental health is prioritized, stigma is dismantled, and every individual feels like they belong. Together, with the support of our Mental Health team, staff, families, and community partners, Sudbury Catholic Schools believes in shaping a learning environment where positive mental well-being is a regular way of life.