Mental Health & Well-Being Information Sessions

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Mental Health & Well-Being Information Sessions for Parents/Guardians - Spring 2022

The HDSB is hosting mental health & well-being information sessions for parents/guardians this Spring. These sessions will cover specific topics based on feedback from parents/guardians. Each will be led by a mental health expert in that area who will share their knowledge and provide helpful information and resources.

Registration is required as limited spots are available.

Register by completing the Mental Health & Well-Being Information Sessions Registration Form. Sessions will be held on Google Meet and registrants will be emailed a link to access the session. Closed captioning is available on Google Meet in various languages. Sessions will not be recorded. Parents/guardians will have the opportunity to submit questions when completing the registration form or during the session.

View Session Descriptions

Building Executive Function Skills in Teenagers: How Can Parents Help? Tuesday, April 5, 2022 from 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.

Building Executive Function Skills in Teenagers: How Can Parents Help?

Date: Tuesday, April 5, 2022 from 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Presenters: Larissa Pipe, M.A., C.Psych., Psychologist and Lisa Sedore, M.A., C.Psych., Psychologist

Description: Executive functioning relates to one's ability to regulate their own emotions and behaviour as well as their ability to engage in critical cognitive skills, such as planning, organizing, getting started on something and self-monitoring. These skills are extremely important as they are even more predictive of success in school (and in life, in general) than one's level of intelligence. Weak executive functioning skills can result in higher perceived stress, poorer coping and underachievement. This session will briefly cover what executive functions are and how they develop through the teen years, with a focus on how parents/guardians can support the development of these skills with their children in Grade 9-12.

CANCELLED: Supporting a Child who is Grieving at Home and School - Thursday, April 7 from 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.

Supporting a Child who is Grieving at Home and School

Date: Thursday, April 7 from 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Presenters: Nikki McCallum, Child Youth Counsellor, Erin Fulton, Child Youth Counsellor, and Michelle McCann, Instructional Program Leader

Description: This session has been cancelled due to low enrolment.

Black Mixed-race Children & Identity - Wednesday, April 27 from 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.

Black Mixed-race Children & Identity

Date: Wednesday, April 27 from 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Presenters: Yasmin Smith, Social Worker, Jodie Sawyers-Petkovich, Child Youth Counsellor, Jules Orlando, Child Youth Counsellor, and Kelly Gray, Teacher

Description: Please join us for a one-hour informative session on supporting children who identify as mixed-race. During this session, we will talk about how Identity may be constructed, some common experiences that Black mixed-race children have, and some of the challenges that can impact mental health. We will also discuss talking with children and youth about race. Lastly, this presentation will include tips for affirming identity.

Mental Health, Well-Being & Autism Spectrum Disorder - Thursday, May 5 from 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.

Mental Health, Well-Being & Autism Spectrum Disorder

Date: Thursday, May 5 from 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Presenters: Larissa Pipe, M.A., C.Psych., Psychologist and Lisa Sedore, M.A., C.Psych., Psychologist

Description: Individuals with a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) exhibit differences with aspects of social communication relative to their neurotypical peers, which can contribute to higher levels of mental health concerns. In this session, we will explore the connection between ASD and mental health and discuss the unique stressors that can be experienced by adolescents with a diagnosis of ASD. Attendees will learn how they can support their child in navigating these stressors and how they can promote positive mental health and well-being.

Celebrating Neurodiversity - Monday, May 9 from 7 - 7:45 p.m.

Celebrating Neurodiversity

Date: Monday, May 9 from 7 - 7:45 p.m.
Presenters: Stephanie Hiebert, Social Worker, Sarah Bryson, Social Worker, and Nicole Callander, Parent, Therapist at Bayridge Counselling Centre and Founder of Friends 4 Kindness

Description: Students and families are welcome to join this session. Presenters will provide information and support for students and families with developmental and neurodiverse needs. This session will include positive ways of viewing neurodiversity and provide strategies to support the unique challenges that individuals/families may experience.

Supporting 2SLGBTQIA+ Students - Tuesday, May 17 from 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.

Supporting 2SLGBTQIA+ Students

Presenters: Tammy Marshall, Celina Gills and Nancy Boose, Child and Youth Counsellors
Date: Tuesday, May 17 from 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.

Description: This session is an informal discussion for parents/guardians to gain an understanding of the importance of inclusive spaces and social connectedness for 2SLGBTQIA+ youth. The session will provide current terminology, resources as well as strategies to help support young people. There will be opportunities for sharing, learning from each other and a Q&A segment during this informative evening.

Anxiety & Depression in Youth: Understanding and Interrupting the Think-Feel-Do Cycle - Thursday, May 19 from 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.

Anxiety & Depression in Youth: Understanding and Interrupting the Think-Feel-Do Cycle

Presenters: Sarah Bryson, Social Worker
Date: Thursday, May 19 from 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.

Description: This information session is designed for parents/guardians of students in Grade 7-12 who are experiencing mild to moderate symptoms of anxiety and/or depression. The intention of this session is to explore how anxiety and depression is understood through the lens of Cognitive Behavioural Theory (CBT). Attendees will leave this session with an understanding of how situations, thoughts, feelings and behaviours impact our experience with anxiety and depression and often operate in a cyclical nature (i.e. the Think-Feel-Do Cycle). Strategies for interrupting the cycle and community resources/options for support will be shared.

Mental Health & Well-Being Information Sessions for Parents/guardians of Elementary and Secondary Students

The HDSB hosted two Mental Health & Well-Being Information Sessions in March 2021 to discuss parent, child and youth mental health and well-being, ways in which parents/guardians can support their children, and resources available for youth and families. The sessions feature four panelists (parents, mental health experts, HDSB social workers and community partners) who share their experiences of parenting during COVID-19 and provide helpful information and resources. Parents/guardians learned about:

How the pandemic may be impacting you and your child’s mental health and well-being
Coping and well-being strategies for you and your children to support better mental health and well-being
Resources and support available through your child’s school and within the community

March 2021 Sessions

Elementary Session (for parents/guardians of Kindergarten - Grade 8 students)
Secondary Session (for parents/guardians of Grade 9-12 students)

Both sessions were livestreamed through the HDSB YouTube channel and the recorded versions are available. An ASL interpreter was present at the sessions and closed captioning is available through YouTube.

Sessions on Specific Topics - Spring 2021

Board Office

Halton District School Board
J.W. Singleton Education Centre
2050 Guelph Line
Burlington, Ontario, L7P 5A8

Numbers

Phone: 905-335-3663
Fax: 905-335-9802

Links

Email Us

Mental Health & Well-Being Information Sessions

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Mental Health & Well-Being Information Sessions for Parents/Guardians - Spring 2022

​Registration is required as limited spots are available.

View Session Descriptions​​​​ ​ ​​

Building Executive Function Skills in Teenagers: How Can Parents Help?​