Nurturing our Mental Health

This past Monday was recognized around the Northern Hemisphere as “Blue Monday” - the so-called saddest day of the year. Whether or not you agree with that assessment, it’s hard to argue that January in Canada isn’t a dreary time. Dark days and snowy weather inevitably take a toll on many people physically, mentally and emotionally.

At times like these, it’s especially important that we remember that we all have mental health to attend to. The Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) defines good mental health as “having a sense of purpose, strong relationships, feeling connected to our communities, knowing who we are, coping with stress and enjoying life.” Not everyone will be affected by mental illness, but we will all encounter times where we struggle with at least one of these aspects of our mental health.

A main goal of this week’s Mental Health Awareness activities is to encourage our school community to recognize the importance of nurturing our mental health. We want our students and staff to have, and make, time for self-care and to know effective methods for looking after their mental, physical and emotional health. Two great examples are today’s tea and nap time in the theatre, where students and staff can have a relaxing cup of tea or rest their bodies and minds in a quiet space, and our Beltline Nature Walk this Friday; exposure to nature and exercise both have a positive effect on mental health.

Equally important to self-care is self-compassion. According to Dr. Kristen Neff, self-compassion means being kind and understanding towards ourselves when we suffer or fail or feel inadequate. Self-compassion allows us to acknowledge that pain rather than ignore it, and to reach out to trusted people for help. Throughout this week, we are reminding students that what they are feeling is valid, and that they have many people ready and willing to help them, should they ever need help.

At the beginning of the school year, and in last week’s assembly, I asked our students to take care of themselves, take care of each other and take care of our school. We hope that our Mental Health Awareness Week is supporting students in doing just that.
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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.
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