Back to our Mental Health and Well-being page.
Mental Health Week 2023
The first week of May marks Mental Health Week in Canada. The theme for Mental Health Week 2023 is “My Story.”
Each year, one in five Canadians experiences a mental illness or a mental health issue. Collectively and individually, we have multiple layers and stories that make us who we are.
Storytelling is a fundamental part of being human. Stories help build connections and strong communities. Storytelling, in all its forms, supports mental health and reduces stigma.
Stay tuned this week to hear the HWDSB community share their mental health and well-being stories.
In case of crisis, call 911 or visit your local hospital emergency room. For urgent support, contact Kids Help Phone (1-800-668-6868; www.kidshelpphone.ca; text CONNECT) or COAST Hamilton (905-972-8338; www.coasthamilton.ca).
- We Help Update Flyer – Mental Health Week 2023
- Community Supports and Mental Health Resources for Students
- Community Supports and Mental Health Resources for Parents and Caregivers
- Mental Health Resources by Topic
Transcend Youth Group
Transcend is a social and support group for transgender, non-binary, gender non-conforming and gender questioning children and youth from HWDSB schools. Group meetings are held once per month for two hours and are facilitated by peer leaders with lived experience. Transcend meetings are a welcoming environment which allows youth to develop social connections with others who share some aspect of their identity, so that they can help and support and learn from each other and from the facilitators.
Please contact dbyers@hwdsb.on.ca for more information.
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.
Register online at projectyouthaffirm.org/ or contact dbyers@hwdsb.on.ca if you have any questions.
TRAILS Anxiety and Depression
TRAILS (Transforming Research into Action to Improve the Lives of Students) groups are designed to help children and youth (grades 4 to 6, 7 to 8, and 9 to 12) who struggle with moderate symptoms of stress, anxiety, and/or depression by teaching evidence-based cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and mindfulness skills.
For more information, please contact the Principal/Vice-Principal or Social Worker at your school or Social Work Services (905) 527-5092 ext. 2806.
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.
For more information, please contact the Principal/Vice-Principal or Social Worker at your school or Social Work Services (905) 527-5092 ext. 2806.
More Resources for Students
Community Supports and Mental Health Resources for Students
Use HWDSB’s Community Supports and Mental Health Resources for Students list to find:
- Individual Supports
- Group Supports
- Provincial Resources
- Crisis Services
- Community Supports
Use the associated links to register, and find detailed descriptions for sessions in the menus below.
| Session Title | Date | Time | Link to Register/Attend |
| Mental Health in the Workplace Webinar | May 3 | 9:30 a.m. | |
| Emotion Coaching Webinar | May 4 | 9:30 a.m. | hwdsb.info/EC-May4 |
| Creating Connections Event | May 4 | 6:30 p.m. | Drop-in event; no registration required |
| CMHA Hamilton Open House | May 5 | 6 p.m. | Drop-in event; no registration required |
| Resilience and Connection Art Exhibit | May 5 | 1 p.m. | Drop-in event; no registration required |
| TAMI Presentation | May 10 | 6:30 p.m. | hwdsb.info/TAMI-May10 |
| Sexual Assault Services Hamilton Video Screening | May 11 | 5 p.m. | Drop-in event; no registration required |
| Emotion Coaching Webinar | June 6 | 6:30 p.m. | hwdsb.info/EC-June6 |
Emotion Coaching
Emotion Coaching is a communication strategy that can calm the brain in as little as 60 seconds and help improve relationships.
Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board, Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board, and Hamilton Family Health Team invite parents and caregivers to explore Emotion Coaching in a 90-minute webinar, and if interested, a six-week parent/caregiver group for further learning. Click the following links to register for one of the 90-minute webinars:
May 4 from 9:30-11 a.m. – hwdsb.info/EC-May4
June 6 from 6:30-8 p.m. – hwdsb.info/EC-June6
To register for the six-week parent/caregiver group, please call the Hamilton Family Health Team, Mental Health Groups line at 905-667-4852. We encourage caregivers to participate in a webinar before joining the caregiver group, however, it is not required.
What is Emotion Coaching?
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.
Learning in Webinars
- Introduction to Emotion Coaching and how it can improve relationships with your child/youth
- Understanding the role of emotions
- Linking Emotion Coaching to neuroscience
- Reviewing Emotion Coaching approaches
PDF Flyer: Emotion Coaching for Parents/Caregivers Spring 2023
Parent/Caregiver Cheat Sheet: Emotion Coaching Cheat Sheet for Parents and Caregivers
Video: Learn more about Emotion Coaching at HWDSB
Families Worrying Less Together
If you are the parent/primary caregiver of a student in grades JK to 8 who is excessively shy or has intense worries and fears, come learn about the Families Worrying Less Together program. This program will give you practical strategies to help your child learn to cope differently. Please note: This program is for parents and primary caregivers, children do not attend.
Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Events
Wednesday, May 3
Mental Health in the Workplace at 9:30 AM (Virtual) – For more information and to register, please click here.
#MyStory: Panel Discussion at 12:00 PM (Virtual) – For more information and to register, please click here.
Talking About Mental Illness Ft. Katie and Karen Kiely at 6:30 PM, Valley Park Rec. Centre (In person) – For more information and to register, please click here.
Thursday, May 4
Creating Connection: Come join CMHA Hamilton at Gage Park (1000 Main St. E) from 10:30 AM – 1:30 PM for a fun and enjoyable day of building connections with your community. We will have a variety of wellness activities set up that involve nature, creativity, mindfulness and movement. Plus, there will be delicious snacks to be enjoyed by all! No registration is required.
Friday, May 5
CMHA Hamilton Open House: Do you want to learn more about CMHA Hamilton? On Friday, May 5th we will be opening up our doors for a Community Open House from 10:00-2:00 PM! Stop in for a hot coffee, meet some of our incredible staff and learn about the programs and services CMHA Hamilton has to offer. No registration is required.
Resilience & Connection: CMHA Hamilton & McMaster University are hosting a community art exhibit showcasing art focused on mental health, resilience & connection. Drop into Centre[3] at 173 James St. N between either 1:00 – 4:00 PM or 6:30 – 8:30 PM to see some of the beautiful local creations!
Transcend Group for Caregivers
Transcend is a social and support group for caregivers of transgender, non-binary, gender non-conforming and gender questioning children and youth. Group meetings are held once/month for two hours to provide an opportunity to share the ups, downs and questions about your child’s gender identity, gender fluidity and transition with a welcoming group of caregivers, with support from a facilitator with lived experience who works in the Hamilton trans community.
Please contact dbyers@hwdsb.on.ca for more information.
More Resources for Parents
Community Supports and Mental Health Resources for Parents and Caregivers
Use HWDSB’s Community Supports and Mental Health Resources for Parents list to find:
- Individual Supports
- Workshops & Groups
- Resources by Topic
- Provincial Resources
- Crisis Services
- Community Supports
May is Sexual Violence Prevention Month in Canada.
Sexual violence is a public health issue that causes significant trauma and impacts the physical and emotional health outcomes of people and communities.
In partnership with the Woman Abuse Working Group (WAWG), HWDSB is inviting community members to attend a video screening about Sexual Assault Services in Hamilton. Attendees will also hear from a panel of local experts about their work in raising awareness about, and the prevention of, sexual violence in our communities.
The event takes place on May 11 from 5 until 7 p.m. at the Education Centre (20 Education Court, Hamilton). No registration is required.
Sexual Violence Prevention Month Flyer
Supports and Resources
| Organization | Contact Information |
| Hamilton Urban Core – Substance Abuse Program for African Canadian and Caribbean Youth | Phone: (905)-522-3233 Email: blackhealth@hucchc.com |
| St. Joseph’s Healthcare Mental Health Services | Youth Wellness Centre – St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton (stjoes.ca) |
| YouThrive | Email: YWCintake@stjoes.ca Phone: (905)-522-1155 ext. 31725 |
Updated on Tuesday, May 02, 2023.