Every Mind Matters Newsletter February 2022 Edition


From The Psychology Foundation of Canada
Greetings!

February marks two very special celebrations - Psychology Month and Black History Month.

In this issue we pay tribute to the many leading Canadian psychologists who have donated their expertise and time to promoting the mental well-being of children and their families. Plus, we acknowledge and highlight the contributions of Black Canadians in the support and advancement of mental health with black youth.

And much more!
Thanks to leading Canadian Psychologists millions of children and youth have gained crucial coping skills
For close to 50 years, we have been using psychological science to benefit Canadians, most notably children and their families teaching them key coping skills to last a lifetime. We have been fortunate to have the support from hundreds of leading Psychologists across Canada who have donated their time to develop our evidence-based programs and resources that nurture resilience in children and youth. Thanks to our vast network of Psychologists, Canadian families can easily access various tools that support and promote their mental health. Here are just some ways, through our recent Wellness Webinar series, in which our psychologists are making an impact. Thank you!
Dr. Kofi- Len Belfon: "Be Gentle with Yourself!” Building self-compassion with children and adolescents.
 Dr. Robin Alter: How Nature Benefits
Kids and Youth
Dr. Rebecca Pillai Riddell: The Struggle to Juggle: Working Parents Pandemic Survival Guide
Dr. Diana Brecher: Thrive at Home:
Coping During COVID
Check out StrongMindsStrongKids.org for a full array of our psychology and evidence-based programs, tools and resources.
Acknowledging support of mental health with Black Youth
We also celebrate the many achievements and contributions that Black Canadians have made, and we would especially like to highlight the support of our Board Member and clinical psychologist Dr. Kofi-Len Belfon. Thank you!
In 2020 we had a conversation with our Trustee Dr. Kofi-Len Belfon about how we can better support and promote the mental well-being of black youth in Canada. Please take the time to watch and listen to this presentation on the impact of anti-black racism on children and youth in Canada.
Welcome Meridian Credit Union
to our growing network of supporters
Welcome Meridian! We are thrilled to announce a new partnership with Meridian Credit Union. Thanks to their generous support, we are developing a new resilience-building program to encourage a growth mindset with youth. This new resource will teach children and youth the skills associated with resilience, well-being, and thriving in both an academic and personal context. 
Hundreds of children benefitting from our
stress management programs
Stress Busters After School Program
So far, we have reached 53 children ages 8-14 with our Stress Busters Program! These youth join us for an 8-week program where they learn psychology-based stress management techniques and are provided a safe space to practice their learnings. They do this among peers, forming connections and strengthening their coping strategies. If you are interested in learning more or booking a session please contact Pamela Sariyannis.
School Mental Health Ontario Trainings
Through our continued partnership with School Mental Health Ontario, another 334 school support staff in Ontario have been trained on our Kids Have Stress Too! Grades 1-6 program with the goal to support and implement this much-needed evidence-based program with their students.
Here are some great resources to share with children and youth
Affirmation cards: Let’s remind our kids of the great qualities they already possess and encourage them to reflect on these resiliency building characteristics with our affirmation cards. 
Stress Busters Activity Book: is an interactive workbook that provides an opportunity for kids and the supportive adult in their lives to discuss how best to support their stress management skills.
Resiliency Quiz: The Resiliency Quiz is designed for youth to learn more about how resilient they are today and the strategies they can adopt that will
enhance their life-long resiliency.
Zen Garden App: Young people can use this tool to learn about stress, gain stress management tips, develop their coping kit, and practice reframing their thoughts to consider the upside of stress.
What's New
The Judy Hills Internship Award Winner: Congratulations Sonika for being the recipient of our Judy Hills Internship Award - Winter Term. This is a paid internship for undergraduate students majoring in psychology. We look forward to working with you!
Congratulations to Harriet Stairs and Barbara Landau who have received the Order of Canada. Both Harriet and Barbara have been longtime supporters of our organization and were past Board members. Well done!
When you invest in Strong Minds Strong Kids, Psychology Canada you invest in a brighter future for our children and youth ensuring they have every opportunity to thrive.
Please share our newsletter within your social media channels
We want to hear from you: How can we best support you in nurturing resilience in the kids in your life? Please contact us with your feedback and suggestions
Strong Minds Strong Kids, Psychology Canada
From The Psychology Foundation of Canada
Phone: 416 644 4944 Email: info@strongmindsstrongkids.org