During Mental Health Week (May 6-10, 2024), the Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board is joining with communities and workplaces across Canada to celebrate, protect, and promote mental health.
The theme for this year’s Mental Health Week is “Compassion Connects” A Call to be Kind, because Compassion Connects Us All.
We all have the capacity to be compassionate, and we know that doing so can make an enormous difference. This year’s Mental Health Week is centered on the healing power of compassion. In a world plagued by suffering, we emphasize that kindness is equally intrinsic to our humanity. Join us from May 6 to 10, 2024 to explore how compassion connects us all.
“I believe Compassion Connects embodies our opportunity to reflect Christ's image in our care for one another. Let us embrace His compassion as we journey together towards mental well-being.” says Manager of Social Work Services, Jenny Athanasiou-Malisa.
As a Catholic community, let us heed the call to compassion and empathy, recognizing that each individual's story is sacred and worthy of compassion. Staff, students, and families alike are invited to stand together in solidarity, offering support, understanding, and love to those who may be struggling with mental health challenges. Together, let us be beacons of hope and compassion, reflecting the light of Christ's love in our actions and words.
During Mental Health Week, schools will be engaging in activities that heighten awareness of mental health and its impact on the school community. Activities and resources include:
· Support educators in engaging in activities during this week to heighten awareness of mental health and its impact on the school community.
· Share the HWCDSB Mental Health Week Resource Kit which has been developed for use in all schools (attached). Educators are advised that this kit should be used in conjunction with the prayers, announcements, and activities found in the Catholic Education Week resources. The kit may be used throughout the year.
· Principals may also encourage educators to access the CMHA Mental Health Week School Toolkit, which includes Mental Health Week activities for schools.
· In addition, Faith and Wellness: A Daily Mental Health Resource is designed to support elementary and secondary educators (K-12) in promoting mental health, faith and well-being at school by offering a repository of high-quality everyday mental health practices that can be easily incorporated into classroom routines:
Faith and Wellness: A Daily Mental Health Resource – Elementary Edition
Faith and Wellness: A Daily Mental Health Resource – Secondary Edition
