December 6, 2023Mental Health Minute: November Wrap-Up

November can be a tough month for many. The sky is gray, it gets dark at 5pm and the anticipation of the holidays makes the weeks seem longer. For our students, academics are ramping up, assignments are due and exams are getting closer. 

This month the High School and Middle School students have teamed up to begin filming our first Mental Health Mini Mic of the year. They chose to focus on academics and look to our older, more experienced students, to provide advice to our younger students. They are interviewing about topics such as study tips, balancing extracurriculars and what they can look forward to in grade 12. Keep your eye out for this in the near future! 

In the High School, the Grade Rep students have begun to plan a student wellness PD day (name TBD) for the new year. The purpose will be to help students prepare for February exams and to connect with their individual grade through a variety of social activities. 

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Triangle - How Our Thoughts, Emotions and Behaviours Affect One Another

The cognitive triangle illustrates how thoughts, emotions, and behaviors affect one another. This idea forms the basis of cognitive behavior therapy (CBT). When we change one part of this triangle all other areas are impacted. 

Tips for changing our thoughts, emotions and behaviors this November:  

• Stay active- You don’t need to wait until the new year to set a movement goal, start now! 
• Make the most of natural light- Go for a walk at lunch or right after school! 
• Prioritize social activities- It can be hard not to crawl into bed at 5pm, so plan social activities right after school! 
• Stick to a schedule- You may find you are more tired and lethargic but it’s important to stick to your regular sleep schedule.
• Take up a new hobby- It may be harder to spend long hours outside doing your regular activities, find something new to try! 
• Focus on the positives- Think about the things you are grateful for and looking forward to. Find the small wins in your day. 

If you are really struggling this month and need support, as of today (December 1st, 2023), people across Canada are able to call and text 9-8-8 for support. This service is free and available to anyone who is suicidal, in emotional distress or worried about someone they know.