“Mental health is a state of wellbeing in which you can realize your own potential, cope with the normal stresses of life, work productively, and make a contribution to your community.” It is possible to have positive mental health even with the presence of a mental health issue with active recovery. This is especially important for youth who are still developing given that 70 per cent of young adults with mental illnesses report that their symptoms began in childhood (The Mental Health Strategy for Canada: A Youth Perspective).
Ideas for fostering a sense of belonging in school and community, especially for marginalized or minority groups.
Resources to prevent and address bullying and ideas for ending stigma around mental health issues.
Ideas for fostering resilience and coping with stress and anxiety.
Individual and community resources to prevent and cope with suicide and self-injury, including crisis lines.
Community mental health services, and online resources to better understand mental health issues.
Resources to understand substance and alcohol abuse, and treatment programs, including Aboriginal and First Nations-specific programming.
The Circle of Courage is a program based on the Medicine Wheel that integrates traditional Aboriginal ways of knowing, community values, and development. It teaches the importance of four needs for healthy growth and development: Spirit of belonging, Spirit of Mastery, Spirit of Independence and Spirit of Generosity. One example can be found at the government of Manitoba's site.
7 core values based on traditional Aboriginal ways of life, built around 7 teachings by 7 different animal teachers: Love, Respect, Courage, Honesty, Wisdom, Humility, and Truth. One interpretation and example forwarded by The Sharing Circle can be found at the link.
MCoS has an education coordinator who will coordinate education and training activities on cultural diversity, intercultural communications, anti-racism, and equality. They also have a list of anti-racist, multicultural, indigenous, and newcomer settlement and integration organizations.
Is common to many indigenous cultures, and can be used as a guide for teaching and learning. It encompasses the importance of respecting and acknowledging the interconnectedness of all things. It has many different representations, a description of some of these is given here at the link provided. Some suggestions for teaching the medicine wheel are found at Education Canada's site.
A safe space is a place where anyone can full express themselves without fear of being made unsafe, uncomfortable, or unselcome on account of their sex, race/ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, cultural background, religious affiliation, age, or physical or mental ability. They are often denoted by a sticker and support in creating one can be found at OUT Saskatoon.
OUT Saskatoon provides many types of presentations to various audiences to educate in order to work to eliminate homophobia, transphobia, heterosexism, and the many other issues that negatively affect the Queer community. OUTSaskatoon also offers peer support over the phone or in person during office hours as well as evenings and saturdays. 1 306 665 1224
PFLAG Canada provides resources and support for youth, parents, educators, and other community members. The national toll-free support line is 1-888-530-6777 ext 224
A discussion of factors impacting Mental Health for LBGTQ people compiled by Rainbow Health Ontario, and CMHA Ontario.
myGSA.ca is a site with resources on how to set up and maintain a GSA in a school, support in becoming an Ally, and resources for students, parents and educators on LGBTQ questions, generally.
A resource to help school divisions, teachers and education professionals better understand and support students whoa re gender and/or sexually diverse. It provides teaching resources and information for administrative resources. It is also available in French.
The Mental Health Commission of Canada advocates use of peer support to offer hope and encouragement and to connect youth and families with those facing similar challenges to them. They offer Peer Support guidelines to assist in implementing such approaches
The Fourth R is a consortium of researchers and professionals dedicated to promoting healthy adolescent relationships and reducing risk behaviours. They develop and evaluate programs, resources, and training materials for educators and other front-line professionals who work with youth.
A giuide for teachers and parents to help them identify and address bullying
An anti-bullying action plan for Saskatchewan. Contains resources for schools and communities
Anti-bullying resources including courses for educators, child-and-youth service organizations, parents, youth and Aboriginal communities.
Explains types of aggressive behaviour, identifies related factors, distinguishes between normal and concerning behaviour, and gives advice on how to address aggression in youth, including proven prevention and intervention strategies
Tookits (intermediate and high school) and activities (student Action Guide, etc.) available on the website,however, unsure as to whether TAMI coalition member has to be involved. Contact to find out!
Increasing awareness about mental illness and the stigma surrounding it. The site provides community and teacher resources to help implement "Talking about Mental Illness" in classrooms and communities.
A storytelling site by and for people with lived mental health experience. Helping to break down stigma by educating through stories and experiences.
Project Oaks seeks to break down stereotypes and reduce stigma through telling stories by providing a platform for individuals with mental illness to tell their stories, to deconstruct stereotypes, and to equip communities to better understand, and serve, those with mental illness. They can also be booked to do presentations in schools/community organizations. The stories they collect are available via their media platforms: website, facebook, instagram.
A campaign-based initiative in Regina that encourages youth to share their stories of mental health and recipes for coping to promote vulnerability, sharing, and understanding. Schools can contact them to take part, or have their students take part on social media.
MHCC HEADSTRONG is an initiative to reduce the painful stigma experienced by Canadian children and youth living with mental health problems and illnesses. It is also intended to reduce the stigma experienced by their families. HEADSTRONG is giving Canadian youth the encouragement, knowledge, and tools they need to fight against this serious problem that threatens the wellness of so many young Canadians.
An evidence-based program deisgned to teach youth to develop coping mechanisms for stress and anxiety.
Teen Mental Health.org has created "animations, face-to-face training programs, web-based training programs, mobile applications, eBooks, easy to understand guides and books designed specifically for youth, parents, educators and health providers" to translate mental health knowledge in order to improve the mental health of youth.
Growing Up Resilient is a resource for adults (including parents, teachers and front-line workers) who want to increase resilience in the children and youth in their lives. PDF available online.
A smartphone App to help users deepen their awareness of their feelings, to settle and manage their emotions and reactions, and approach others and situations with kindness and compassion. Includes ways to integrate into classroom, extracurricular activities, etc.
A smartphone App designed to help teens and youth to cope with anxiety - promoting a shift in thinking about anxiety.
Training to help prevent suicide: the ASIST model teaches effective intervention skills while helping to build suicide prevention networks in the community.
Training for caregivers and professionals to "enhance people's skills to help them to be a support and resource to those encountering someone with mental health concerns"
A information and resource website about self-injury. Includes resources for helping professionals, individuals who self-injure, and those who have recovered.
"provides information and resources to reduce the suicide rate and minimize the harmful consequences of suicidal behaviour." Includes awareness, prevention, coping, grieving and advocacy resources.
A resource designed to help find a crisis centre
A 24/7 counselling help for youth up to age 20. It also has live onlien chat available on weekend evenings. It is LGBTQ-friendly.
For referral to crisis services in SK
This crisis intervention counselling support is available to all indigenous people across Canada, and is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Experienced and culturally competent counsellors are available if you are experiencing distress, having strong emotional reactions, are triggered by painful memories, or just want to talk. You can reach them by calling their toll free number (1-855-242-3310) or by visiting their website (https://www.hopeforwellness.ca/) to connect with a counsellor online. All services are available in both English and French, and phone counselling is available in Cree, Ojibway, and Inuktitut upon request. If asked, counsellors can also work with you to find other wellness supports that are available near you.
A 24/7 support line and e-mail with info and resources for gay, lesbian, bi, trans, or quesitoning folks and their families and friends.
A crisis line for transgender people and those struggling with their gender identity.
Call 811 or Google Saskatchewan Healthline Online to explore options and information confidentially with a health care professional about your health related questions and concerns.
Search tool for services and organizations in a variety of areas, including mental health/addictions, and related areas, such as violence/abuse, financial help, etc.
This site provides a map of services affiliated with Health Authorities, Community Mental Health and Addictions Services, and more. It is searchable by location and type of service.
The following is a list of the Community Mental Health and Addictions Services in the province organized by Health Region.
Jordan's Principle makes sure all First Nations children and youth have access to the services and supports they need. Between July 2016 and December 31, 2018, more than 209,000 requests were approved under Jordan's Principle. One of the areas of service they provide is mental health services.
You can connect with them by phone 1-855-JP CHILD (1-855-572-4453) 24 hours a day 7 days a week, TTY 1-866-553-0554 or by email at aadnc.infopubs.aandc@canada.ca
The Saskatchewan School Counsellors association has publications and resources to support school counsellors in Saskatchewan
Teen Mental Health.org has created "animations, face-to-face training programs, web-based training programs, mobile applications, eBooks, easy to understand guides and books designed specifically for youth, parents, educators and health providers" to translate mental health knowledge in order to improve the mental health of youth.
Toolkit includes stories of mental health promotion approaches, and a closer look at the actions/process required to promote mental health.
Is a free curriculum resource used to improve both teacher and student Mental Health Literacy. The goal is to support understanding how to optimize and maintain good mental health, understanding mental disorders and their treatments, Decreasing Stigmaand Enhancing help-seeking efficacy.
A Canadian Mental Health Association resource in both French and English that has tools for youth who are struggling with mental health problems to help them get through high school. It also includes sections for educators and school staff, and parents.
A NFB Documentary following beat cops in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside, including frank conversations with people about their drug use
A program designed to help teens "understand how substance use can get in the way of having the life they want"
Videos, songs, paintings, etc. from the community that raise awareness about the role of culture in wellness for Aboriginal people healing from addictions in SK.
List of addictions treatment centres and programs for First Nations and Inuit People by province. This includes options in Saskatchewan and for youth.
A 5-day training program for First Nations support people who work with youth at risk between ages 11-13. See their website for training details, cost, and calendar.
The YAP PhotoVoice Project was developed as a provincial project for YAP participants to work on collaboratively. The overall aim of the project was for a group of Saskatchewan youth to use photos and words to communicate the impact alcohol has in their lives. The final photos were put together to present to the public with accompanying information about the Photovoice process and conclusions of what was learned. The PhotoVoice Project can be requested as an exhibit with accompanying booklets and a DVD.
This site includes resources for youth, parents, coaches, teachers on alcohol use. It includes several lessons designed to integrate with Saskatchewan curriculum, in particular with Health/Wellness 9 and 10 and lessons for the Biology curriculum. It provides full lessons, relevant resources (videos, prezis, etc.), educational techniques and ideas for dealing with sensitive topics.
This magazine was created by young artists and others who are interested in preventing alcohol-related harms. The articles and art within can be used as starting point for talking about the role of alcohol in the lives of young people and society. It can be downloaded or ordered from the Saskatchewan Prevention Institute's website.
The Saskatchewan Prevention Institute has a DVD lending library. Titles include: Alcohol and the Brain (15 min); This is Your Brain on Alcohol (17 min); Everything you Need to Know about Alcohol in 22 Minutes (22 min); in the Greenhouse (31 min).
This toolkit has been designed to promote Positive Mental Health perspectives and practices in the school context. It is important to note that Positive Mental Health does not simply represent another program or initiative to be added to the workload of staff or implemented through a rigid structure. Instead, the toolkit is meant to facilitate a shift in practice, and to set in motion a process for engaging school and community strengths in fostering the positive growth and development of children and youth.
This Positive Mental Health toolkit is derived from evidence-informed practices and is linked with a partner document entitled Schools as a Setting for Promoting Positive Mental Health: Better Practices and Perspectives (JCSH 2014).
Support youth and community well-being through the collaborative action of community partners working together. Through evidence, tools and resources, SAYCW supports stakeholders to turn the knowledge gained through the youth health survey into health promoting action.
SAYCW 2019 Thriving Youth, Thriving Communities Survey Provincial Poster
June 27, 2019 – The 2019 SAYCW Thriving Youth, Thriving Communities (TYTC) Survey Provincial Poster is now available! The the Saskatchewan Alliance for Youth and Community Well-being…
Read MoreThis brief questionnaire seeks feedback from schools, school divisions, and other Saskatchewan stakeholders on the SAYCW Youth Health Survey 2015, the results reports, and the Healthy Schools and Communities grant. We hope to learn from you to improve SAYCW’s work in conducting our next Thriving Youth, Thriving Communities Survey in 2019, preparing the results reports, and translating the knowledge into health promoting action.
