We Help Update – Back-to-School 2025-2026

Student Groups

For more information about these groups and how to register for them, please contact the social worker assigned to your child’s school or email [email protected] 

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Student Anxiety Groups

Student anxiety groups are designed to help children and youth who struggle with moderate symptoms of stress, anxiety, and/or depression by teaching evidence-based cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and mindfulness skills. 

This is a 10-week program that may be offered virtually and/or in person. It is recommended that caregivers attend either the Emotion Coaching Webinar or The Caregiver’s Toolkit: Managing Anxiety and Depression Webinar to help them decide if this group best meets their child or youth’s needs. HWDSB is offering the following Anxiety groups for Fall 2025 

Grade 4-6
10 consecutive weeks on Tuesdays from October 14-December 16, 2025
5:00 – 6:30 p.m. virtually through your child’s Microsoft Teams account. The link will be provided to you.   

Grade 7-8
10 consecutive weeks on Wednesdays from October 15-December 17, 2025
3:00-5:00pm In person  

Grades 9-12
10 consecutive weeks on Wednesdays from October 15-December 17, 2025
3:00-5:00pm In person 

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Teen Activation Group (TAG)

TAG is a treatment group for youth (grades 9 to 12) struggling with depression and anxiety who are not ready to access other treatment options. The group is based on Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) and Behaviour Activation Therapy. The goal of the group is to help children and youth to reduce their depressive and anxious symptoms and increase their overall activity level, so they can access other treatment options or so they no longer require treatment. 

12 weeks on Tuesdays from October 14- January 13, 2026 (No session during winter break)
3 – 4:30 p.m. offered in person.  

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Skén:Nen Indigenous Youth Wellness Program

Skén:Nen combines traditional methods of wellness with Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) to care for the wholistic needs of Indigenous youth. This program was created through a Two-Eyed Seeing approach by Indigenous clinicians. It incorporates perspectives of Haudenosaunee and Anishinaabe traditions and values and is based on the teachings of the Good Mind and the Seven Grandfather Teachings. We welcome perspectives and learning from different nations and communities. The program is for youth ages 14-21 who identify as Indigenous to Turtle Island (First Nations, Métis, Inuit) and looking for support with anxiety, low mood, mental health, stress, or cultural identity-related issues on a referral basis. 

10 consecutive weeks Date and Time TBD
 

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AFFIRM

AFFIRM Is an eight-session Cognitive-Based Therapy informed treatment group specifically for Two Spirit and LGBTQIA+ youth to develop coping skills for anxiety and stress related to experiences of discrimination as a result of their sexual and gender identities. The goals of AFFIRM are to decrease unhelpful thoughts, feel better about yourself and lives, and to make healthy choices for sexual and mental health.

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Click here to find additional help and resources on our Mental-Health and Well-Being page.

Explore the links below to learn about various mental health and well-being webinars and groups taking place over the coming weeks. To register, click the links underneath the dates and follow the steps on the page.

For more information about these groups, please contact the social worker assigned to your child’s school or email [email protected] 

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Caregiver Webinars

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The Mental Health Toolkit: Managing Anxiety and Low Mood in Children and Youth Webinar 

This webinar will help caregivers to better understand anxiety and low mood in Children and Youth and learn practical strategies and tools to support their child in managing their mental health. The webinar will also introduce caregivers to resources available to them and their child at HWDSB should they require additional mental health support beyond what is provided in the workshop.    

September 24, 2025 – 6:00 – 7:30 p.m.
Click Here to Register   

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Emotion Coaching Webinar 

Emotion Coaching is a communication strategy that can calm the brain in as little as 60 seconds, and help improve relationships. Emotion Coaching has two steps: 

• Validation: Letting someone know we understand why they feel, think or act a certain way. 

• Support: Then, we provide emotional and practical support using strategies like reassurance, limit-setting, redirecting, collaborative problem-solving, teaching skills, etc. 

Register for the webinar for an introduction to Emotion Coaching and how it can improve relationships. Attendees will learn about the role of emotions, link Emotion Coaching to neuroscience, reviewing Emotion Coaching approaches and more. 

September 24, 2025 – 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. Virtual
Click Here to Register    

November 26, 2025 – 6:30 – 8:00pm. Virtual
Click here to register

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From Reaction to Action Webinar  

This webinar is designed for parents and caregivers of children in JK through Grade 12 who may be uncertain about how to respond to and support a child experiencing anxiety.
Rather than focusing on the child, this webinar centers on your responses as a primary caregiver. This session will offer information and insights into how shifts in your responses can support your child in managing their anxiety.  

September 24, 2025- 4:30-5:30pm. Virtual  

Click Here to Register 

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Caregiver Groups

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Families Worrying Less Together Group 

This 6-week group is for parents/caregivers who have a child in JK – Gr. 8 who is overly shy or has intense worries and fears that get in the way for them. This program will give you skills which you can use to support your child in learning to overcome their worries and fears. It is recommended that parents & caregivers participate in the Mental Health Toolkit: Managing Anxiety and Low Mood in Children & Youth webinar prior to registering for this group. 

This virtual group will run weekly on Thursdays, from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m., on Oct. 16, 23, 30, Nov. 6, 13 & 20. 

Click Here to Register 

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Emotion Coaching Group 

This is a 6-week group for parents and caregivers who would like to learn more about Emotion Coaching. Emotion Coaching is a communication strategy that can calm the brain in as little as 60 seconds and help improve relationships through validation and support. Throughout the group, participants will be introduced to emotion coaching and how it can improve relationships with your loved one, the brain’s connection to emotions, and specific emotion coaching skills related to offering validation and support. It is recommended that parents & caregivers participate in the Emotion Coaching Webinar prior to registering for this group. 

This virtual group will run weekly on Mondays, from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m., on Oct. 20, 27, Nov. 3, 10, 17, & 24. 

Click Here to Register 

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From Reaction to Action Group 

Reaction to Action is a 5-week group for parents & caregivers of children in JK to Grade 12 who notice themselves struggling with knowing how to support their anxious child. This group focuses specifically on the parent/primary caregiver’s behaviour in response to their child’s anxiety. Your child does not need to be ready to make changes themselves. This group is about you and giving you information and skills to change what you do to support your child and their anxiety. It is recommended that parents & caregivers participate in the From Reaction to Action Webinar prior to registering for this group. 

This virtual group will run weekly on Wednesdays, from 4:30 – 6:30 p.m., on Oct. 15, 22, 29, Nov. 5 & 12. 

Click Here to Register  

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Click here to find additional help and resources on our Mental-Health and Well-Being page.