Hello, amazing parents and students!
As November graces us with its presence, we embark on a journey dedicated to the art of fostering positive connections and relationships. This month, we'll explore the magic of building meaningful bonds that enrich our lives, from friendships that light up our days to family ties that provide unwavering support, and beyond. Join us as we delve into the heartwarming realm of nurturing healthy connections, enhancing our well-being and spreading positivity throughout our lives. [Remembrance Day will be honored in our schools with a video and a discussion. There will the time for silence an opportunity for all to acknowledge and remember)
Resource Roundup: Nurturing Healthy Connections and Relationships
Explore these carefully curated resources suitable for parents and students of all ages, designed to inspire positivity and cultivate healthy connections: If you are not able to open the below underlined links just copy and past into your browser to watch. Not just for one set of ages but really for all.
For more resources, check out the Healthy Relationships page on the NLPS website.
Reflecting on Last Month: Your Insights Matter!
In October at the Outreach schools, we found that there were many different ways that we can together support healthy and positive mental health not just for ourselves but for each others. Taking time to talk to your child/teen openly and asking them to share on what is working for them and what is not. You may be surprised at how resilient they can be. Encourage them to share the challenges they face (for example at school) and what could other do and what can they do differently. They often know what to do when they have has the chance to share with someone who listens.
We always like to ask this question each month how did our previous blog post influence your family? What could we have added or included. We're eager to hear the feedback at any time. So look below and contact your counsellor of the school your teen attends.
Nurturing Healthy Relationships: Tips for Students
Students, enrich your connections:
- Practice active listening to understand viewpoints.
- Share acts of kindness and compassion.
- Communicate openly and respectfully.
- Seek common interests for bonding.
- Show appreciation to friends and family.
E-Mental Health: At Outreach as the Student Advocacy counselors we are proactive with the students we meet in regards to their emotional and mental wellbeing. Not only addressing social skill building, emotional stressors, and supporting self advocacy and accessing outside services when needed through referrals, in school presentations and more.
At this time our counselling team in the Northern lights school division is committed to supporting youth on their mental health journey, working on what matters most to them and supporting them to achieve their goals. Our School Division has the opportunity and access to an innovative tool called Innowell (sometimes referred to as e-Mental Health aka EMH). Innowell is available to
us through a partnership with Alberta Health Services and the University of Calgary called the e-Mental Health for Youth & Young Adults research project. We are offering this tool to our teens in our school who are interested in participating. This is an online tool that will be supported ongoing by the counselors during this school year. Students who have expressed an interest will receive an email to join. If you have any questions or concerns please contact us and let us share the benefits of this tool that we have in place.
Connect with Our Student Advocacy Counselors: We are here for Support
Seeking guidance or want to discuss well-being? Our Student Advocacy Counsellors are here for you. Reach out at lora.harder@nlsd.ab.ca at the Cold Lake Outreach or call 780-594-6885. Reach out with crystal.anderson@nlsd.ab.ca at Lac La Biche(also at Journeys and Crossroads) Outreach or call 780-623-2658. Reach out at judy.livingston@nlsd.ab.ca at Bonnyville Outreach or call 780-826-3111. We enjoy connecting with our students and parents/guardians whether by phone or in person give us a call.
Here's to a November filled with nurturing relationships, flourishing bonds, and a canvas of shared joy. Let's celebrate the power of positive connections!