YMHC Jan 2025 Newsletter
Youth Mental Health Canada January 2025 Newsletter
January Volume: An Overview
Thank you for subscribing to the YMHC newsletter. This volume contains information on YMHC events and activities. Be sure to check out YMHC resources to start 2025 off strong!
Book the workshop at https://ymhc.me/monthlyworkshop
PLAIN TEXT VERSION:
YMHC Newsletter - January Volume
Welcome
Thank you for subscribing to the YMHC newsletter. This volume contains information on YMHC events and activities. Be sure to check out YMHC resources to start 2025 off strong!
A Good Things Jar: Starting the New Year Off Right
Have you done this before? Fill the jar with your successes, achievements, triumphs, and compliments from others.
Heart-to-Heart Knitting Circle
YMHC will be starting a knitting circle at our office in Hamilton, Ontario, every Saturday at noon. We will supply the wool and needles. Hearts will be made to send to schools across Canada. Schools will provide hearts and our compassionate cards to students who are absent from school due to mental health challenges.
January Events and Dates
New Year's Day
January 1: Happy New Year! YMHC wishes all our followers and supporters a happy, healthy new year filled with community, belonging, and connection.
Key Wellbeing Dates
1-30 January: Dry January
1-30 January: Veganuary
YMHC Newcomer Project
YMHC is collaborating with a local secondary school and Theatre Aquarius to provide newcomer students with a theatre experience. We are looking for sponsors to support transportation and dinner.
Self-Care Tip
Learn to begin, engage in, and end conversations comfortably. If you are unsure of yourself in social situations, look up books and online resources on etiquette and personal development; or join a club or group where you can interact with others and practise social skills among people who share common interests. If you are extremely shy or anxious in social situations, consider contacting your organization's assistance program for some professional guidance on overcoming this common concern.
Newsletter Credits
The YMHC newsletter was produced by Chelsea, Sheryl, Jim, and Tracey.
YMHC Shop
With 3400 different and distinct emotions, how can we increase our awareness of feelings? The answer: with a feelings wheel. Purchase feelings wheel merch to increase emotional awareness.
The ability to identify one's emotions is a skill related to emotional intelligence (Salovey & Mayer, 1990).
Order Now: https://ymhc.me/ymhemerch
Annual General Meeting Open House
Sunday, January 26, at 1 p.m.
An opportunity to:
Meet the people behind YMHC
Find out about 2024 YMHC successes
Discover YMHC goals for 2025
Learn more about YMHC and the amazing work we do
Identify ways you can support YMHC
Enjoy some food and drinks
Enter to win some fabulous prizes
Become a part of an amazing community of people
Recipe: Plum Clafoutis (DF)
9X9 pan, 1 hour
Somewhere between custard and an oven pancake this recipe is inspired by my dad's favorite desert. Bonus: it's dairy free!
Ingredients
2 ripe plums, thinly sliced (feel free to swap with another stone fruit, apples, pears or berries)
1 can (398mL) full fat coconut milk
4 eggs, room temperature
3 tbsp tapioca or cassava flour
1 tbsp almond flour
½ cup sugar
¼ tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla
Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 F. Lightly grease a shallow 9x9 inch square baking dish (around 1 ½ quart baking dish) oil. Arrange a single layer of plums in the bottom of the dish (reserve some for the top layer)
Warm the coconut milk in a microwave-safe dish for 30s at a time until melted and smooth.
In the bowl of a stand mixer (or using a hand mixer/whisk and large bowl), beat together the eggs, sugar, and salt until creamy. Add the tapioca flour and mix until incorporated. Add the coconut milk and vanilla, beating until smooth. Pour the batter over the plums, and add another layer of plums on the top (they should sink slightly).
Bake for 45-50 minutes, until browned. Transfer the pan to a rack to cool, then serve warm.
Benefits of Exercise
Why should you try the workout of the month?
Exercise releases endorphins, which are natural mood lifters, promoting feelings of happiness and well-being.
Regular physical activity reduces stress and anxiety by decreasing levels of cortisol, the stress hormone.
Movement improves cognitive function and memory, enhancing mental clarity and focus.
Exercise increases self-esteem and body confidence through improvements in physical fitness and appearance.
Physical activity provides a healthy outlet for built-up emotions, reducing feelings of anger and frustration.
Regular exercise promotes better sleep patterns, leading to improved mood and energy levels.
Engaging in physical activities with others fosters social connections and a sense of belonging.
All workouts created by Chelsea Wong
Workout of the Month
This workout requires some equipment, but feel free to get creative if you don't have it at home! See tips below!
Warm-Up
10 reps of each exercise, repeat 2-3 times:
Mountain climbers
Downward dog to cobra
Shoulder raises
Air squats
The Circuit
Timing: 45 seconds on, 15 seconds off. Rest for 1 minute before completing circuit 2-3 times.
SLEIGH ROPES
Alternative: Try kettlebell swings with a weight, or even laundry detergent!
SLED PUSHES
Alternative: Put some weight on a chair and push/pull it!
SLED PULLS
Alternative: Put some weight on a chair and push/pull it!
ICE SKATERS
Lateral jumping movements while alternating legs
SNOWBALL SQUAT AND CATCH
Note: Even though it will be lighter, use any ball you can find!
MOUNTAIN CLIMBERS
Performed in plank position with alternating knee drives
Sources of Strength Wellness Workbook in Inuktitut
Tools for Wellness: Mental Wellness Workbook for All Schools and Families
YMHC is committed to providing schools and families across Canada with the educational resources, tools, and support required for preventative, proactive, and practical approaches. YMHC has produced three mental wellness workbooks in digital fillable, photocopiable, and print formats. The books are available in English and French.
Inuktitut Translation Initiative
In our ongoing efforts to make these valuable resources more accessible, YMHC translated Sources of Strength into Inuktitut, aiming to reach young individuals, families, and professionals in the education and mental health sectors. Inuktitut, a primary Inuit language spoken across the northern regions of Canada, including Newfoundland and Labrador, Quebec, Manitoba, the Northwest Territories, and Nunavut, plays a crucial role in preserving cultural heritage. Recognized officially in Nunavut and the Northwest Territories, and holding significant legal status in Nunavik and Nunatsiavut, Inuktitut's inclusion in our resources aligns with our commitment to supporting all Canadian communities.
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 provides 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 covers:
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
https://schoolphobia.ymhc.ngo
Monthly Workshop: School-Wide Strategies for Supporting Students with School Absenteeism Issues
Two-hour workshop and 2 photocopiable resources (guidebook and student workbook)
Date: Thursday, January 30, 7 to 9 p.m. ET with discussion following the workshop
Resources: Two photocopiable resources valued at $300
Fee: Workshop fee for education and mental health professionals is $500
There will be time after the workshop for discussion.
Book workshops: https://ymhc.me/monthlyworkshop
Goal Setting: Visualize Your North Star
In one of Hal Hershfield's notable studies, the UCLA Professor of Marketing found that individuals with a much clearer, more connected vision of their future selves are more likely to make decisions benefiting them in the long run. Using this premise, instead of judging our present selves harshly, we can follow these four steps to connect with our future selves who have already attained their goals:
Envision yourself in the future, having achieved your goal. What are you doing? How does it feel? Who are you celebrating with?
Journal about this in detail. The more detail, the better to solidify this connection.
Every evening for a week, read your journal entry and visualize this for 10 minutes before bed.
Then, let it go. Having implanted this vision into our subconscious, we can now use it as the North Star for our process to achieve success.
2025 National Virtual Conference
Making Waves in School Attendance: School-Wide Strategies to Support Students with Chronic Absenteeism
Dates: May 30 and 31, 2025
Toronto, Ontario —Youth Mental Health Canada (YMHC), a national leader in youth mental health advocacy and education, is proud to announce its 2025 National Virtual Conference. The conference aims to address the pressing issue of chronic school absenteeism in Canada.
Chronic absenteeism is a silent crisis affecting schools nationwide, with absentee rates ranging from 20% to 80% in some areas. In Hamilton alone, the absenteeism rate stands at a staggering 54%. Despite these alarming figures, Canada lacks national public data on student absenteeism, making it challenging to develop effective strategies to combat this issue.
"We are walking blindfolded into the future with no understanding of the magnitude of this problem and how to respond to it," said Sheryl Boswell, Executive Director of YMHC. "Our education system is missing too many students, and it's time we took collective action to bring them back."
The virtual conference will bring together educators, mental health professionals, community workers, and families to:
Share data, research, and best practices on addressing chronic absenteeism
Discuss strategies for universal student support and protocols for early identification and response
Create a national network to promote school attendance and respond to absenteeism
Conference Details
Format: Virtual
Registration: Open now at ymhc.me/conference
Early Bird Rate: $299 before January 31, 2025
Contact: For more information, email admin@YouthMentalHealth.ca
Tentative Conference Agenda
Welcome by Elder John Rice and YMHC
Contemporary Issues in School Attendance Problems
Christopher Kearney, PhD, Professor and Chair, Department of Psychology, University of Nevada
Mobilizing for Change: Insights from the Canadian School Attendance Partnership
Professor Jess Whitely, University of Ottawa
Student-Lived Experience Advocacy: How "Adviesraad EigenWijsheid" makes a difference, Netherlands
Riding the Wave: The Multi-Dimensional Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MD-MTSS) Framework for Attendance
Patricia Graczyk, PhD, Assistant Professor of Clinical Psychology, University of Illinois, United States
Trauma-Affected Students: Informed to Empowered
Dr. Catriona O'Toole, Associate Professor and Psychologist, Maynooth University, Ireland
Universal Support for All Students: Mental Health Screening in Schools with Triaged Responses
Dr. John Ackerman, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Ohio
Facilitating Collaborative Relationships with Parents/Caregivers: Education Support Teams
School Can't Australia and Define Fine UK
Human Rights in Education
Wade Poziomka, Ross & McBride Law Firm, Hamilton, Ontario
Tātai Aho Rau Core Education, New Zealand: Indigenous Responses to School Attendance Problems
Exciting School, Community, and Nation-Wide Initiatives: Chile, Netherlands, Canada
Habits to Take into 2025
A collection of positive habits to develop and maintain:
Sticking to my boundaries
Learning to say no
Not letting fear control me
Focusing on my health and fitness
Pausing instead of reacting
Taking breaks
Keeping a daily journal
Staying organized
Talking compassionately to myself
Using productivity tools
January 2025 Self Care Calendar
Week 1
1: Start the new year with your favorite self care activity
2: Last Day of Hanukkah
3: Try a new healthy hobby this month
4: World Braille Day
5: Enjoy trivia games
6: Epiphany
7: Enjoy a bubble bath
Week 2
8: Clean off and out your desk
9: Include play into your day
10: Enjoy your favorite sweet treat
11: Take time to reflect on your week
12: Enjoy your favorite winter hot drink
13: Work to make your dreams come true
14: Plan for your emotional care
Week 3
15: Check out a new book
16: Get a massage
17: Get creative and inventive
18: Do a winter activity
19: Popcorn day, enjoy your favorite kind
20: Try 3 days of eating healthy
21: Try a body scan before bed
Week 4
22: Talk about mental health
23: Learn more about Integrative Health Care
24: Have a no alcohol weekend
25: Try a new game or puzzle
26: Plan for your physical care
27: Track your water intake
28: Wear comfy clothes
Final Days
29: Take time to appreciate your body
30: Check in with your stress levels
31: Take time just for you
About YMHC
Mental Health and Wellness Education for Resilience, Positive Change, and Hope
YMHC is a community-based, youth and educator-led, charitable non-profit organization focused on youth, family, and community engagement for mental health education, support, advocacy, hope, and change.
We advocate for needs-based, culturally sensitive, trauma-informed mental health support, services and educational accommodations for students and direct funding to families to support young people with chronic mental health disabilities.
Contact Information
Website: www.ymhc.ngo
School Phobia Resources: schoolphobia.ymhc.ngo
Contact: www.ymhce.ngo/contact
Address: 51 Stuart St. Hamilton, Ontario
Social Media:
Facebook: facebook.com/YMHCanada
Twitter: @ymhchope2013
Instagram: @youth_mental_health
TikTok: @youth_mental_health
Make Hope Happen!
Donate at: www.ymhc.ngo/donate
Registered Name: YMHC Charitable Foundation
Business #: 77137491SRROOO1
CRA-eligible receipts available
Podcast audio disclaimer: YMHC utilizes third-party AI-powered digital anchors to enhance accessibility of our newsletter content for visually impaired readers and provide alternative content delivery options; this service is for informational purposes only, should never be used for mental health advice or diagnosis, and does not replace official YMHC communications - please consult mental health professionals for any health-related concerns.