We’re thrilled to bring you the latest from our work helping children and youth thrive. Your support makes it all possible—see what’s new and how you can be part of the change. | | Building a Resilient Future, Together | | |
We’re excited to share that Anne Gaviola, Senior Digital Broadcast Journalist and anchor of Business Matters on Global News, will be hosting our Strong Minds Gala!
Mark your calendar and join us on Thursday, November 20 for an unforgettable evening.
Become a Sponsor
Your support will help us bring proven mental health programs to over 500,000 children and youth across Canada. You'll empower kids to manage stress, build resilience, and thrive—and receive exclusive recognition throughout the event and on our digital platforms.
Together, let’s build a future where every child’s mental well-being is a priority.
Ready to build strong minds together?
Reach out to Anne Lovegrove at
anne.lovegrove@strongmindsstrongkids.org
| | Expanding Our National Impact: From Coast to Coast to Coast | | | | |
With an intentional focus on broadening our reach in underrepresented areas, we’re thrilled to report that we are now delivering programming from coast to coast – spanning both northern and southern regions of Canada. From British Columbia to Newfoundland, and from Nunavut to southern Ontario, our presence continues to grow in meaningful and measurable ways.
We’re proud to showcase all of the regional touchpoints we’ve had in 2025 with both youth and adult audiences, offering a visual snapshot of our growing national impact over the past 7 months.
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Empowering Teens to Thrive:
Introducing Taking Care of You(th) + Others
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This International Youth Day, we want to highlight our newest direct-to-youth program, Taking Care of You(th) + Others. This program combines our Taking Care of You(th) and Peer Mentor programs into one jam packed session!
In Taking Care of You(th), teens explore the nature of stress, identify their personal stressors, and acquire practical coping strategies. In Peer Mentor, teens deepen their understanding of stress management, while building leadership and communication skills to mentor their peers, becoming mental wellness ambassadors within their schools and communities.
To learn more or to book a session for your group, email Dene at dene.guillas@strongmindsstrongkids.org
| | Wellness Webinar - Navigating the Digital World Safely: Helping Kids Process, Connect, and Cope Online | | Expanding Resilience Programming with Connected North | | | | We’ve partnered with Connected North to bring our crucial direct-to-youth and educator Stress Management and Resilience programs to their network of 200 schools. | | |
These schools will now have access to our Taking Care of You(th) and Peer Mentor programs for students in grades 7-12, as well as our KHST! and Stress Lessons programs for K-12 educators, led by our wonderful facilitator, Dene!
Connected North connects students and teachers in remote, Indigenous communities with live, interactive virtual learning experiences and access to educational resources for students and teachers in remote communities, supporting them where they live and bridging the digital divide. Through the program, Indigenous students from Kindergarten - Grade 12 are offered unique opportunities to thrive.
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Together with RBC Foundation,
We're Building Stronger Communities
| | | | We are grateful for the generosity of the RBC Foundation. With their support, we are impacting the lives of teens in Ontario, Newfoundland and Labrador, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba with our Peer Mentor program. | | Thanks to the RBC Foundation, 975 youth will participate in our Peer Mentor program, 390 educators will be trained in Stress Lessons, and 975 parents / caregivers will receive our StressLess stress management resources. This provides a whole-community, wrap-around approach to support youth with developing healthy stress management strategies. | | |
"My peers were engaged and supportive, they were actively listening and cooperating. The games were interactive and helpful in terms of getting to know people and removing the negative aspect that comes with talking
about mental health."
- Peer Mentor, Age 16 (Regina, SK)
“It was a fun way to learn how to manage stress and also help peers in need. I learned lots of useful information that I will carry with me.”
- Peer Mentor, Age 14 (Winnipeg, MB)
| | Celebrating Dr. Ester Cole | | | | |
We’re thrilled to share that the Ontario Psychological Association has established the Dr. Ester Cole Lifetime Leadership Award — a powerful recognition of Dr. Cole’s outstanding leadership, dedication to psychological science, and lifelong commitment to the well-being of children and youth.
We’re incredibly proud to have Dr. Cole as part of our Strong Minds Strong Kids family. Congratulations, Ester — this honour is so well deserved!
| | We Have a New Phone Number! | | Please note that our main phone number has changed. You can now reach us at 226-666-9796. Update your contact list so you can stay connected with us! | | We have a 50+ year history of using psychological science to champion the mental well-being of Canadian children and their families. Be a part of this transformative journey—together, we can make a lasting difference. | | Please share our newsletter within your social media channels | | | | |
