PLAIN TEXT VERSION
Welcome to the December edition of our newsletter! This volume is packed with information on YMHC events and activities, a December self-care calendar, a new recipe, a workout of the month, mental health resources, and more!
Days of Significance
International Day of People with Disabilities
3rd Dec 2023 A day to recognize and value the diversity of our global community, and to cherish the role we all play, regardless of our abilities. The aim of the day is to break down barriers to inclusion and advocate for the rights of people with disabilities.
The National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women
6th December 2023 It has been over 30 years since the murder of 14 young women at Polytechnique Montréal (December 6, 1989).
Human Rights Day
10th Dec 2023 The anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by the United Nations.
Winter Solstice (Northern Hemisphere)
21st Dec 2023 The winter solstice represents the beginning of the astronomical winter and is the shortest day - the day with the least daylight.
The Holiday Season
It's the final month of the year, and in December we look forward to Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa as well as looking ahead to 2024 on New Year's Eve.
Self-Care Tip
Develop a ‘Don’t Do’ List Self-care doesn’t have to be an action item. It can be about freeing up space for the things that matter in your life and removing those that steal your energy. After an especially draining day, take a few minutes to reflect: What dragged you down? How can you do less of that? Go ahead and physically write down a “don’t do” list, something that can serve as a reminder that holds you accountable.
School Phobia Training Course
School phobia, avoidance, and absence are one of the most pressing issues in youth mental health and suicide prevention. With the YMHC School Phobia Training Course, you gain the knowledge and skills needed to support students who are struggling with chronic school absenteeism. Register now and become a part of the solution. Drawing on a wide evidence base, the course provides participants with a range of school-wide strategies for positively impacting the lives, health, education, and future potential of students. The trainer draws on her 20 years of experience working on school phobia issues, in addition to coordination of Stay-in-School programs, years of experience as an educator with elementary, secondary, postsecondary, and adult education students in Canada and Africa, and her membership and involvement in international organizations focused on youth mental health, suicide prevention, and school attendance.
Date and Time: (January 24 to February 28) Wednesdays, 6 to 8 p.m. ET
New Resource: Feelings Wheel Booklet
Coming soon
Gifts that Matter
Get YMHC Merch at YMHC Merch
Personal Wellness Toolkit
What are you going to put in your personal wellness toolkit? Create your personal wellness toolkit at Personal Wellness Toolkit
This year, we have donated our resources to almost 500 libraries, 72 school boards in Ontario, 100 Indigenous organizations in Ontario, local community organizations, and 100 universities in Canada. YMHC is constantly striving to make a difference. In the last three years, we have donated over $200,000 worth of mental wellness journal workbooks and provided subsidized workshops and training courses for parents and caregivers and Indigenous education and mental health professionals. We have a dedicated donation campaign, Make Hope Happen. One hundred percent of donations goes directly to supporting young people across Canada.
Heart to Heart Campaign
YMHC is launching a “Heart to Heart” campaign in January 2024. Knit or crochet hearts and send them to YMHC, 51 Stuart Street, Hamilton, Ontario, L8L 1B5. Messages of support will be added to the hearts and sent to young people who are struggling with their mental health. There are many ways that people can contribute to youth mental health support, change, and action. We hope that this campaign will become a national campaign to support people of all ages.
YMHC Membership Program starts in January 2024
Free, weekly downloads
Free, monthly workshop
Access to special offers
Become a YMHC member and join the movement for change at YMHC Membership
Workout of the Month
Warm-up
2 minutes of marching in place
1 minute of jumping jacks
10 burpees
15 squats (weighted for a challenge)
Legs
20 Calf raises
20 lateral lunges
20 donkey kicks (10/side)
20 skaters
Core
30-second plank
30-second mountain climbers
30 bicycle crunch
30 flutter kicks
Arms
30-second arm circles
20 push-ups
20 triceps dips
20 inch worms
Supporting Students with School Phobia
School phobia is a complex mental health disability. There are many challenges for the student, family, and school. The more time a student is away from school, the more difficult it is for them to resume normal school life. YMHC has developed resources and tools to support students, families, schools, and mental health professionals. Our 20 years of experience working on school-induced mental health challenges and disabilities provide the much-needed authenticity, expertise, and leadership to the field of child and youth mental health and suicide prevention.
Make Hope Happen with Supporting Students with School Phobia: A Guidebook for Families & Schools. This amazing tool and resource cover:
Understanding School Phobia
Support Strategies
A Mental Wellness Action Plan
Trauma-informed Approaches
A Whole School Approach
Possible Educational Accommodations Available for Purchase in English or French, Printed, Digital Fillable & Photocopiable.
Learn more.
Chewy Cinna-Spiced Cookies
Crisp on the outside but thick, soft, and chewy in the middle. Perfect for a chilly winter day to enjoy with a cup of tea, coffee, cider, or hot cocoa!
Ingredients
80g butter + 80g shortening, melted
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 large egg
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups (225g) all-purpose flour
2 tsp cornstarch or xanthan gum
1 tsp baking soda
1 Tbsp cinnamon
1 Tbsp nutmeg
Directions
Melt butter and shortening in a medium mixing bowl in the microwave in 30-second intervals.
Add both sugars and whisk for 20 seconds until well combined.
Add egg and vanilla, and whisk until well combined, about 15 seconds.
Sift over the flour, cornstarch, baking soda, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Then add the salt.
Mix until a soft cookie dough forms; it will be thick.
Chill the cookie dough in the refrigerator for ~30 minutes.
While the dough chills, preheat the oven to 350F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
Remove dough from the fridge and scoop with a small cookie scooper (~1.5-2 tbsp) to form each cookie; place on the lined tray, without flattening the balls.
Repeat with remaining dough, spacing cookie balls 10cm (4 inches) apart to allow for spreading, and leaving gaps near tray edges.
Bake for 10-12 minutes until edges are lightly golden.