Children's Mental Health Week: May 4-10, 2014

1 in 5 Ontario children and youth has a mental health problem - that's about 500,000 kids. Disorders range from anxiety, depression and conduct disorder to eating disorders, psychosis and bi-polar disorder. Left untreated, mental health disorders can lead to school failure, family conflicts, drug abuse and even suicide.
Children's Mental Health Week is about increasing awareness of the signs of child and youth mental health problems, decreasing stigma and understanding that help is available and treatment works! 

The more educated we are on the subject, the more capable we are to reach out for support. There should be no shame in talking about mental health issues. The more we talk about this, the more we reduce the associated shame and stigma so that young people can get the help they need when they need it most.

Celebrating Children's Mental Health Week

Events being planned across the Province include: 

• Green ribbon campaigns;
• Schoolyard walks for mental health awareness;
• Parent information nights;
• Municipal proclamations declaring the first full week of May as Children’s Mental Health Week

Source: http://www.kidsmentalhealth.ca/news_and_events/cmhw-2014.php

Seven Ways to Better Organize Your Study Time

1. Allot enough time for study.
   Study is a major priority in college.  While 6 hours may be too much for one student, it may be what is necessary for another.  Therefore, you must examine your own needs and then allot your time appropriately.
2. Make use of your free hours between classes.
   If your schedule permits, the hours between classes can be used to review notes before a class or to begin an assignment.
3. Study at the same time daily.
   Having specific hours set aside each day will maintain the systematic organization of your schedule and keep you actively involved in studying.
4. Schedule a weekly review.
   Plan to review each classes’ notes from the beginning to end once a week.  This only takes a short time and will reduce the amount of study time needed before an exam.
5. Schedule daily reviews.
   Spend 15 - 20 minutes reviewing your notes immediately following class or when classes are done for the day.  Again, this will reduce the amount of study time needed before an exam.
6. Account for project time.
   Remember to allow an appropriate amount of time during the course of the week for long-term projects (i.e., papers, group projects, journals, etc.)
7. Allow for flexibility.
   Although your schedule should be very systematic, you should allow for some flexibility.  It is important not to over schedule thus allowing for a variety of “non-academic” activities.

Source: http://www.fau.edu/freshmanadvising/faasorganize.php

Streetproofing Tips

At school, the safety of your child is our most important priority. We remind you to keep your school staff up to date with your address, phone number, childcare arrangements, to whom your child may be released, etc. We also encourage you not to permit your child make alternate arrangements over the lunch hour if they are in a lunch program. We need you to let us know about any changes of routine and to sign your child in if they are arriving late or leaving early for any reason.

The Toronto Police streetproofing program encourages you to teach your child:

      1. his/her name, address, phone number;

2. to Dial 9-1-1 in an emergency;

3. to communicate with you when they feel unsafe or afraid;

4. to keep you informed as to his/her whereabouts at all times;

5. never to admit to being alone in the home when answering the telephone;

6. never to invite strangers into the house or answer the door when alone;

7. never to approach or enter a stranger's car or hitchhike;

8. never to travel or play alone- always be with friends;

9. to trust their feelings and say "NO" to an adult if that adult wants them to do something that is wrong;

10. not to accept gifts from strangers;

11. to tell you if someone has asked them to keep a secret from you;

12. that no one has the right to touch any part of his/ her body that a bathing suit would cover;

13. that if he/ she is being followed, or approached too closely, to run home or go to the nearest public place and yell for help;

14. to report to your school authorities or a police officer, anyone who act suspiciously towards him/ her;

15. never to play in deserted buildings or isolated areas;

16. never to enter anyone's home without your permission;

17. to avoid taking shortcuts through parks and fields;

18. never to show his/her money and if attacked to give it up rather than risk injury;

19. that a police officer is a friend who can always be relied upon when he/ she is lost or needs assistance. 

Source:  http://tdsbweb.tdsb.on.ca/webdocuments/Principals_Site/docs/Streetproofing%20Tips.pdf