Welcome to part three in my three part series on mental health for Bell Let’s Talk Day. To read part one about my own mental health click here . To read part two featuring Matt Boudreau and men’s mental health click here.
Today is Bell Let’s Talk Day. Bell has done a great job over the last 8 years to end the stigma surrounding mental health and further the conversation around how society deals with mental issues. When thinking about mental health we often think about adults, but how we raise our children has a huge influence on their mental health throughout their life. I recently spoke with Claire Wade a grade 5 and 6 teacher at Carseland Elementary School. Claire is one of the leading 150 Canadians on mental health and this is due in large part to her teaching style and programs she has initiated. One such program is the health/wellness program at the Carseland school called Nature Connection. Inspired by Claire’s master certificate, it helps to foster mental wellness in children through a connection with nature.
While Claire is quick to mention that she is not an expert in mental health – just passionate about the topic – her experience with children gives her a unique perspective on the issue of mental health.
As a teacher I imagine you get to see firsthand kids mental well being, as well as influence it. What sort of things do you do in your classroom to encourage wellness in your students?
My room is a safe place and I am a listening ear. Connecting to students and creating a positive relationship is so important for wellness – each one of my students will always have my support. I greet the students in the morning and take the time to acknowledge each student as they enter the door. I also started a noon hour program called SWIM (Students With Important Messages) team. The door is open to all div. 2 students and it is a time for me to sit down with the students and really listen. I think having an adult who is present, takes time to truly listen, and be a consistent support is imperative for student wellness. This group also works on creating school wide wellness projects like garden green smoothies, gardening, and harvesting mint for our mint tea company. It truly feels like a family. I also use nature as a teacher for well-being. When I spend time outside with my students, we learn so many amazing lessons on wellness. We watch the plants and see how they thrive. We make comparisons and discuss how we also need the best growing conditions – premium fuel, strong supports/friendships (like the three sisters, beans, corn and squash, working together), rest, water. We also work on techniques to regulate our emotions. We frequently check in with how we are feeling. We take time to be mindful/present and we breathe a lot. I have a breathing ball in my classroom and it is a great visual to help students with deep breathing exercises.
As we learn more about childhood development, there is an increasing push for kids to “be kids” longer. To spend more time playing outside and less screen time. What are your thoughts on this movement?
I think that this movement is awesome! My two son’s are my greatest teachers. I had the amazing opportunity to spend time at home with my boys when they were little. It was during this time, that I truly witnessed how important it was for children to spend time in nature. If my kids were upset or feeling agitated we went outside and they would almost instantly calm. I still witness nature being a safe space and a place where creativity, curiosity, and kindness flourish. Unstructured play is essential for child development, the research is out there, get outside and play!
70 percent of people with mental health issues say symptoms started in childhood
Congratulations on recently being named one of the 150 leading Canadians on mental health by the Centre For Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH).
I think what they do is fabulous. Being recognized as a mental health leader is a great honour. It makes me want to create more awareness for mental health. I would love to create a paddle board event in Chestermere called “standing up for mental health.” It would be cool to get pledges and have a group of awesome people paddle the lake. It would be cool to give back to CAMH!!
What is one or two things you would suggest parents could do at home to help improve/support their child’s mental health?
1. Be present.
Children are so aware. It is important to make time to listen to children, connect and check-in to see how they are doing. Those emails can wait.
2. Talk about feelings/emotions.
I think it is important for children to know that all feelings are normal and natural. There are so many amazing kids books about feelings and emotions. I remember taking my son to a parent link program about emotions and one of the instructors said “if you can name it (the emotion), you can tame it.” I love that. We need to support our children and help them understand their emotions.
Here are a few book titles:
3. Get outside and let children explore and play and create. 4. Last, but not least, take time to rest.
Bell Let’s Talk Day
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