Focusing on Mental Health

1/30/2019

Sarah Bruce, Principal

January can be a difficult month in Toronto, with some of the darkest and coldest days of the year (and this week’s snow storm certainly didn’t help). When Mother Nature seems to be against us, it’s more important than ever that we take care of our mental health. That’s why a number of Greenwood events this month have focused on helping students and staff do just that.

Our annual Mental Health Week, held from January 21-25, continued our efforts to break down the stigma associated with mental health and encouraged students and staff to be mindful of their own mental well-being. In his address to students on Monday, Dr. Greg Wells highlighted the power of music as a mood-lifter (and I have been enjoying our Student Council initiative to play a different song every morning to start the day). Dr. Wells also pointed out that doing three workouts per week is linked with big improvements in mental health, and I know I’m not the only one who feels a renewed motivation to make that happen. (Read more about Dr. Wells’ visit and Mental Health Week.)

Today is also Bell Let’s Talk Day - a national initiative dedicated to starting the conversation about mental health. Students were in the Lodge this morning sharing the ways that they’re going to start the conversation, whether it’s letting a friend know they’re ready to talk or sharing their own challenges with others.

There is something impressive about how Canadians "soldier on" through the winter weather, though it can take a toll. So, today we decided to do something fun and uplifting for students and staff alike by having a special visitor. Stanley (a.k.a. the Stanley Cup!) was here earlier this afternoon to brighten everyone’s day. (Check out photos of the visit here!)

On Friday, many of our Grade 9-12 students will head to the Eglinton Grand for Greenwood’s Semi-Formal. If your child is attending, thank you for speaking with them about the behavioural expectations for this event. I look forward to this being a safe and enjoyable night for everyone!

Sarah Bruce

Principal

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Greenwood College School

443 Mount Pleasant Road
Toronto, ON M4S 2L8
Tel: 416 482 9811

We acknowledge with gratitude the Ancestral lands upon which our main campus is situated. These lands are the Ancestral territories of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, Anishinabek and the Wendake. The shared responsibility of this land is honoured in the Dish with One Spoon Treaty and as settlers, we strive to care for the land, the waters, and all creatures in the spirit of peace. We are responsible for respecting and supporting the enduring presence of all First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples. When away from this campus we vow to be respectful to the land by protecting and honouring it. We will create relationships with the people and the land we may visit by understanding the territories we enter and the nations who inhabit them.