Children's Mental Health Week - May 6-12, 2024
Annually, Mental Health Week is acknowledged during the first week of May with an emphasis on children’s mental health. Recognizing Children's Mental Health Week (CMHW) is more important than ever!
Children and youth are facing unprecedented levels of mental health challenges, with increasing complexity. Recent data shows that mental health challenges made up 4 of the top 10 reasons for hospitalizations among 5 to 17-year-olds in Ontario.
CMHW is about increasing awareness of child and youth mental health needs, decreasing stigma and understanding that help is available and treatment can work. 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. 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.
Join us for CMHW 2024 and help raise awareness for child and youth mental health and well-being!
Here’s what’s happening!
Five Ways to Well-Being Activities
North Eastern Ontario Family and Children’s Services (NEOFACS) and the Northeastern Ontario Mental Health Week Committee are committed to promoting Five Ways to Well-Being which supports people to live a happy and fulfilling life and feel engaged in their community.
Five Ways to Well-Being is a set of five simple, evidence-based actions, which can improve well-being in everyday life. Each weekday of Mental Health Week, we will promote one of the five actions:
- Connect: Talk and listen. Be there. Feel Connected.
- Take Notice: Appreciate the simple things that give you joy.
- Be Active: Move your mood. Do what you can. Enjoy what you do.
- Keep Learning: Embrace new experiences. See opportunities. Surprise yourself.
- Give: Your time. Your words. Your presence.
Join us in celebrating mental health and well-being by incorporating these actions into your life!
We challenge you to join us in writing or drawing positive messages around your home and community as an act of kindness using sidewalk chalk or window paint! If neither of those options works for you, download the printable 5 Ways to Well-Being colouring page to display your support.
The goal is to raise awareness, spread positive messages, and bring joy to our communities while promoting the 5 Ways to Well-Being and Children’s Mental Health Week!
Share your creations on social media using hashtags #5WaysChallenge and #CMHW2024 or #MHW2024.
If you have any questions or photos of your participation that you would like featured on our social media channels, please email them to event@neofacs.org.
Enter for a chance to win a $100 gift card!
Complete the challenge for a chance to win one (1) of nine (9) prizes of a $100 gift card from a local business of your choice to support your mental health and well-being.
To enter the contest, complete the online entry form by May 21, 2021, at noon.
Eligibility:
The contest is open to all children and youth in the Districts of Cochrane and Timiskaming in Ontario. Winners will be selected at random from all eligible entries received. In order to be eligible, participants must complete the online entry form by May 21, 2024, at noon.
Multiple entries per household are permitted, but there is a limit of one (1) prize per household. If multiple entries from the same household are selected as winners, only one prize will be awarded to that household.
Please Note: Immediate family members of NEOFACS employees will be entered in a separate draw from the public contest.
This contest is made possible with support from the North Eastern Ontario Children’s Foundation, thanks to a generous donation from J&B Cycle & Marine.
A colouring page is also available to display support for anyone who cannot participate in the challenge through chalk or window paint.
Printable activity booklets are available.
There is a version for children and youth.
- Download Activity Booklet – Children Version (English - PDF)
- Download Activity Booklet – Youth Version (English - PDF)
Booklet Printing Instructions
Here are the steps you can follow to print the PDF document in a booklet format on letter-size paper, double-sided:
- Download and open the PDF document and select “Print”.
- Under “Page Sizing & Handling”, select the option called “Booklet”. This will automatically format the document into booklet format.
- Ensure “Both Sides” or “Duplex Printing” is selected for printing.
- Click on “Print” to start printing your document in booklet format.
- Once the document is printed, take the stack of printed pages and fold them in half down the middle, so that the front cover is on one side and the back cover is on the other. Option to insert a staple along the spine to keep the pages together.
Alternatively, you can print the pages without using the booklet format. Note that if you choose to print the document normally, without the booklet format, the resulting pages will be separate sheets rather than a folded booklet.
Community Events
NEOFACS, along with the Northeastern Ontario Mental Health Week Committee and other community organizations, have planned several activities for our communities.
Join us for a fun-filled event to kick-off Children's Mental Health Week, which will take place from May 6-12, 2024!
On Thursday, May 2, 2024, from 3:30 pm to 4:30 pm, drop by our offices to help us decorate our reception areas by drawing positive messages about mental health!
Bring your creativity and we will supply everything else!
Participate for a chance to win! Children and youth who participate will be eligible to enter the Children’s Mental Health Week Draw.
Free event for all ages – no registration required.
Locations:
- Cochrane (451 Chalmers Ave)
- Englehart (40 Third St)
- Hearst (909 George St)
- Iroquois Falls (457 Zealand Ave)
- Kapuskasing (29 Kolb Ave)
- Kirkland Lake (6 Tweedsmuir Rd)
- New Liskeard (25 Paget St)
- Timmins (707 Ross Ave)
Help improve Perinatal Mental Health Care in Timmins and Northeastern Ontario! Join Flora’s Walk happening in Timmins at Hollinger Park Pavilion on Saturday, May 4, 2024.
Our Brighter Futures program will have an information booth available for attendees to visit.
- Registration: 10am-10:30am
- Pre-Walk Presentations: 10:30 am
- Walk: 10:45 am
- Information Booths: 10 am – 1:00 pm
Donate Here to the Timmins Team 75% of funds raised will stay in Timmins and Area. Proceeds will support the Timmins and District Hospital in the area of perinatal mental health and is approved by the TADH Foundation.
Learn more at FlorasWalk.ca
Join us for a free interactive workshop for children and youth in Englehart!
- Location: NEOFACS Office, 40 Third St., Englehart
- Date: Tuesday, May 7, 2024
- Time: 4 to 6 pm
As a member of the North Eastern Ontario Mental Health Week Committee, we invite you to join us for an online presentation by Dr. Adele Lafrance titled “Nurturing Connection with Your Child ” on Wednesday, May 18, 2024.
Parenting is hard. It's natural to blame yourself when your children struggle and face challenges. Join us to learn about tips and strategies to feel more confident, and in tune with your caregiving instincts and abilities.
About the Speaker:
Dr. Adele Lafrance is a clinical psychologist, research scientist, author and co-creator of Family Emotion Focused Therapy.
Registration:
Reserve your spot today!
There are two sessions available:
Join The New Mentality group in Timmins for their "Make & Take Your Own Journal" event on Thursday, May 9, 2024, from 6 pm to 7:30 pm.
Get crafty and decorate your own journal to take home. Earn volunteer hours by decorating a second journal to donate to our agency. All materials will be provided.
The event will take place at the NEOFACS office located at 707 Ross Avenue East in Timmins.
The event is open to all children and youth ages 10+. No sign-up is required.
Should you have any questions, please email tammy.dinesen@neofacs.org.
Our Brighter Futures program will be at the Children's Health Information Fair in Timmins on Friday, May 10, 2024, from 11 am to 2 pm, at the Timmins Native Friendship Centre (179 Kirby Ave).
Join us to visit different kiosks to learn about information on children’s health such as fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, autism spectrum disorder, prenatal and postnatal care, healthy babies program, speech therapy, physiotherapy, occupational therapy and health nutrition.
It's a great opportunity to learn about the services and support available to children.
Free public swims will be offered throughout the region from May 8 to May 12.
If you have any questions about the events or to confirm the schedule, please contact the pool facilities directly.
- Kirkland Lake:
- Wednesday, May 8 from 6 to 7 pm
- Joe Mavrinac Community Complex
- Sponsored by the Timiskaming Health Unit
- Cochrane:
- Wednesday, May 8, 6:30 to 8 pm
- Tim Horton Events Centre
- Sponsored by Genier Bros. Trucking Ltd.
- Kapuskasing:
- Wednesday, May 8, 6:45 to 8 pm
- Donat Brousseau Pool
- Sponsored by Conseil Scolaire Public du Nord-Est de l’Ontario
- Timmins:
- Wednesday, May 8 from 6:45 to 8 pm
- Archie Dillon Sportsplex Pool
- Sponsored by the City of Timmins
- Iroquois Falls:
- Friday, May 10 from 6 to 7 pm
- Iroquois Falls Sports Complex
- Sponsored by the Town of Iroquois Falls
- New Liskeard:
- Sunday, May 12 from 1:30 to 4 pm
- Waterfront Pool & Fitness Centre
- Sponsored by the District School Board Ontario North East & Northeastern Catholic District School Board
Campaign Fundraiser: Order Specialty T-shirts & Water Bottles
Specialty campaign t-shirts and water bottles promoting mental health awareness are for sale, for a limited time. Proceeds from the sales will support the Children’s Mental Health Week Bursary offered through the North Eastern Ontario Children's Foundation.
The deadline to order via our online shop has been extended to Friday, May 31, 2024!
All orders placed after the original deadline of April 29, 2024, will be processed at the end of May.
Please see further details below. If you have any questions, please email event@neofacs.org.
How to Place an Order:
- Order & Payment Process:
- Visit our online shop at neofacs.logikalpromotions.com to view pricing, available colours, and size details.
- Orders and payments can be conveniently made directly through the online shop.
- Pick-Up Locations:
- When placing an order, save on shipping fees by selecting a NEOFACS office location for pick-up. Details will be communicated via the provided contact information when orders are ready.
About the Design and Products:
- T-Shirt: The design features the message of "I ❤️ Mental Health Awareness". It was passionately created by our engaged youth with The New Mentality group.
- The design is available in English and French, with a range of colour options and sizing for youth and adults.
- You also have the option to add the NEOFACS logo to the sleeve for a small added fee.
- Water Bottle: We also have a limited number of water bottles available in white and black, featuring the same design.
The white t-shirt is a great option for anyone interested in doing a tie-dye project, allowing you to get creative and add a personal splash of colour!
Do you or someone you know need mental health support?
Everyone may experience brief problems with some issues, but when those problems start to interfere with everyday living, it may be time to reach out for help.
Community members in need of help are encouraged to reach out to the services available in their community, including NEOFACS, or if they know a young person or family in need of support.
You are not alone! We are here to help.
We offer a number of programs and services for children, youth and families experiencing mental health needs, crisis situations or family breakdown.
Don't wait to access services or get help:
- You can reach NEOFACS 24/7 by phone at 705-360-7100 or Toll-Free at 1-800-665-7743 or 1-866-229-5437/KIDS.
- One Stop Talk offers children, youth and their families in Ontario immediate access to free mental health support by providing single session counselling and direct referrals to other services when needed. To connect with a clinician, visit OneStopTalk.ca or call 1-855-416-8255.
- You can also access support by contacting Kids Help Phone (1-800-668-6868 or text CONNECT to 686868) or visiting your local Emergency Department.
- 9-8-8: Suicide Crisis Helpline – Call or text 9-8-8.
- If you are at immediate risk, you may also call 911.