ACCESS Open Minds CK
140 King Street W N7M 1E3 Chatham, ON, Canada

Check out Cosmic Yoga on YouTube! A great way to keep younger youth moving and to encourage them to stay active! Not to mention, yoga is a great way to stretch out your muscles after sitting in front of a computer all day! https://www.youtube.com/c/CosmicKidsYoga/featured

Some important tips with Midterm season right around the corner! https://www.minuteschool.com//keeping-healthy-during-midt/

How fun are these DIY frozen sun catchers you keep seeing posted on social media?! Given the weather forecast for the next few days here is a step by step on how to make one of your own! Here are a few pics of two local youth’s creation! 1. Start by exploring outside and collecting! Items like plants, pebbles, acorns, flowers, branches and other natural elements. 2. Choose your container! You could choose plastic lids, pie plates, silicone molds etc. Remember! The bigger th...e container, the longer it will take to freeze. 3. Fill the container with water and then arrange all of your natural elements however your little heart desires. You can even add food colouring to the water! Tip: don’t over fill your containers with water or they will be too heavy to hang. 4. If you do want to hang your beautiful sun catcher on tree, bush or window sill, make sure to add a small piece of string or ribbon half our of the ice in a loop so that it will freeze in place. 5. Let it freeze! If it is cold enough outside you can leave it in a safe place to freeze or lay it flat in your freezer. 6. Make sure to take a picture and tag us ACCESS Open Minds CK or DM us your pic and we will share it to our social media. 7. Have fun! See more

Check out some of the artwork in our first week of Healing Through Art In the first week we explored how using a creative journal can be a tool for personal development and self exploration! We used oil pastels to personalize our journal and Discovered Our Beautiful Self through paint and college. We also played with non-linear writing as a mindfulness practice and explored spontaneous painting! We chatted about school and art and one of our youth taught us about the artist Jackson Pollock! In all, we had a lot of fun on a cold January evening. Claudia's Workshops

This holiday tradition is courtesy of Paula and Jennifer! #AOMfortheholidays

Live book reading and wellness talk! February 8th via Zoom! Join Shauna Furois, Author of Serena Dives In, for a reading of her story about risk and discovery on the road to recovery. Follow up discussion with the author and PCMH (Parent’s for Children’s Mental Health) members. Webinar is geared towards family and carers. Reach out to [email protected] for more info!

This valuable resource from the Canadian Mental Health Association provides some tips and resources that may be helpful for those who have experienced loss and grief during the COVID-19 pandemic. https://ontario.cmha.ca//loss-and-grief-during-the-covid-/

During #BlackHistoryMonth, we’ll be sharing #mentalhealth #youthmentalhealth resources for Black Canadians & encouraging people to expand their understanding of... Black peoples’ history and contributions to Canada. Starting with Mois de l'Histoire des Noirs / Black History Month's programming around mental health conversations http://bit.ly/3j8qOMP See more

Some holiday fun for your weekend!

ACCESS Open Minds staff have been sharing their favourite holiday recipes and traditions. Feel free to try out these recipes, post a picture, tag us, and use the hashtag #AOMfortheholidays.

"Fight Flight Freeze: Anxiety Explained for Teens" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rpolpKTWrp4

ACCESS Open Minds remembers those who have been taken too soon by anti-transgender violence. #transgenderdayofremembrance

Single Session is offered at ACCESS Open Minds Monday-Friday 8:30-5:00.

This resource from CAMH provides some helpful suggestions for coping during the holiday season. https://www.camh.ca//camh-news-/coping-with-holiday-stress

At ACCESS Open Minds, our Peer Navigators are here to support youth and young adults ages 11-25 who are experiencing mental health concerns. #accessopenminds #youthmentalhealth #share

"A Lesson on Resilience" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sKpBJjsZ7EE&feature=emb_logo

Connect with ACCESS Open Minds Monday-Friday 8:30-5:00 by phone, email or drop in.

This tradition is courtesy of Shannan, a Chatham-Kent Children's Services Clinician. #AOMfortheholidays

Time to meet another member of our ACCESS Open Minds Youth Advisory Council!

Check out this article on how to embrace holidays during the pandemic. https://www.healthline.com//ways-to-embrace-the-holidays-d

Thank you to the Chatham-Kent Virtual Christmas Craft Market for your support of AOM and our friends at the Canadian Mental Health Association Lambton Kent! Check out the market from November 12-14th!

Today kicks off Home for the Holidays in Historic Downtown Chatham. Come down and support local businesses and stop by ACCESS Open Minds to take a Christmas selfie outside our doors. Be sure to post and tag us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter! #Homefortheholidays

Interested in some pumpkin fun? Check out what Backyard Summer Camps CK is up to!

Stay tuned... #youthmentalhealth #ACCESSOpenMinds

We are adapting our services to help meet the needs of youth in our community. Take a look at some of our current updates of how you can connect with us!

Check out the newly launched Covid-19 Student Support Network! This network is a space for post-secondary #students to share their #thoughts and #feelings towards the uncertainty around the upcoming #school year - they invite all students to sign up here https://bit.ly/3e2l70c

In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, online school is a new experience that many are learning to navigate. Check out this blog with some helpful tips on how to be successful in your online courses! https://collegeinfogeek.com/online-class-tips/

Today on #dresspurpleday, we want to make sure families, especially those facing additional hardships during COVId-19, know that there are resources and service...s available to help them. We #dresspurple to remind them we are one of those places families can turn to for help! Find out more about the campaign at: www.oacas.org/dresspurpleday #idresspurplebecause #dresspurpleday2020 #ckcstrong #heretohelp #ckont

Early signs of mental illness

Young and Proud is a group for Chatham youth ages 11-25. Check out their website for more info!

Don't forget to tune in today at 3pm for Nurse Jenn's last live Medication group. She will be talking about early warning signs of mental health problems. Thank you Jenn for all the wisdom you've shared over the past few months!

Check out these easy exercises for teens with step by step instructions and no equipment required! Exercise is a great way to maintain good physical and mental health, as well as an amazing stress reliever! https://kidshealth.org/en/teens/easy-exercises.html

Dont forget to tune in today at 3pm for Nurse Jenns last live Medication group. She will be talking about early warning signs of mental health problems. Thank you Jenn for all the wisdom youve shared over the past few months!

Check out the information below on the "Building a Framework for Supporting Meaningful Family Caregiver Engagement research project.

Congratulations to all our fellow Youth Wellness Hubs Ontario sites! https://news.ontario.ca//ontario-expanding-mental-health-s

Check out this Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) course for helping to manage stress, pain, and the challenges of every day life. https://palousemindfulness.com/MBSR/week0.html

Check out this list of helpful tips for preparing for exams from a University student!

"Every part of your life helps to shape the way you see the world and your experiences. Different areas of your life such as school, family, work, physical health and connection to your environment may seem separate, but theyre actually all connected. When something in one area changes, it can affect other areas. Kids Help Phones Wheel of Well-Being is a visual representation of how these different areas are linked. It can also help you think of ways to keep things in balance."

ACCESS Open Minds is a Youth Wellness Hubs Ontario site. Check out the new Chatham-Kent page on the YWHO website! https://youthhubs.ca/en/sites/chatham-kent/ #accessopenminds #youthmentalhealth #share

Check out these easy, healthy breakfast ideas, perfect to keep you energized at school or work! https://www.treehugger.com/quick-and-healthy-breakfasts-eas

Great resource to learn more about Pronouns!

We know back to school can be tough, and with COVID19 and the new school year, you might be experiencing stressors youre not used. Join us on our social media platforms on Monday @ 3pm. Nurse Jenn will be going live to discuss early signs of mental health issues, where to go for help, and tips for taking care of yourself.

The Students Commission of Canada is hosting their #CanadaWeWant Knowledge Exchange on November 23-25. This event aims to #amplify youth's voices in discussions... around #challenges faced by #youth in their #communities, more info https://bit.ly/35JMVoe They are inviting youth to contribute in many different ways: presentations, posters, design lab challenges etc - send in your content ideas before Oct 1, more info https://bit.ly/33t5OZu See more

Check out this article containing helpful tips on how to ensure you are taking care of yourself during the school year! https://mindyourmind.ca/well/taking-care-during-school-year

Covid-safe volunteer opportunity in Wallceburg!

The transition to being a college student can be challenging. Check out these self-care tips for college students that can be useful regardless of your year of study! https://www.makeschool.com//10-selfcare-tips-for-college-s

Join us next week for Nurse Jenns last live Medication group! Jenn will be talking about early signs of mental health issues. Have questions? DM or email us at [email protected] by Thursday September 17th.

The way you eat, move and sleep can impact your mood. This video is meant for young people; it provides tips on healthy eating, movement and sleep habits. https://youtu.be/qMnQFTy3t30

Check out this article on how parents and guardians can support their children in their return to school in the midst of the pandemic. https://coronavirus.beyondblue.org.au//managing-your-child

Still time to register for the Healing Through Art group, starting next week, September 17th. Open to youth ages 18-25. See poster for more info!

Today is #WorldSuicidePreventionDay. By spreading the word that hope, help and healing are possible, we can work together to prevent suicide. We recognize and support #WSPD2020.

This infographic will give you more context for #WorldSuicidePreventionDay in #Canada as well as some #important #numbers you can #call if you want to talk to someone! #WSPD #SuicidePrevention #StepCloser

Hey everyone! We would like to let you know that Fun Night has been postponed for September. We heard from some of you that you prefer Fun Night in-person, rather than virtually. We are working on ways to adapt this group so everyone can continue to enjoy it in a safe way. Have ideas on what you think Fun Night should look like? Share in the comments below or feel free to send us a message!

When it comes to helping our kids mentally prepare for this school year, we could all use a few more tools in our back-to-school toolbox. Let us help you navigate this https://cmho.org/back-to-school/ #kidscantwait

Mental Health tips for back to school.

This video is meant for young people; it describes what depression looks like, what the causes might be, what challenges might come up and what young people can do to support themselves. https://youtu.be/6xONySz9XLk

Hey CK youth! Still time to give us some feedback! Today we are wondering...What time is best for virtual services? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below! #youthmentalhealth #ywho #accessopenmindsck

Today is #ThankfulThursday and we want to give a special SHOUT OUT to Julia, a local CK youth who chose ACCESS Open Minds CK as the recipient of her generous donation that started as a school project. Take a look at this video and see how Julia turned $25 into $650 for a good cause! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s9LhUpz7Yxo&t=1s

If virtual Fun Night/activities are our only option, what would make you want to attend? Tell us your thoughts and comment below! #youthmentalhealth #ywho #accessopenmindsck

Hey CK! Were so excited to announce Art group is running again, this time for 18-25 year olds! Join us & AwareHouse for a 6 week course, ALL ART SUPPLIES PROVIDED FOR FREE! (facilitated through Zoom). Call 519-437-6329 or email [email protected] for more info.

Attention Parents!!! **Free course for Students** Learn how online education differs from traditional classrooms while developing your own personal plan and str...ategies for online learning success. This course is offered by Athabasca University and Contact North | Contact Nord. Explore the fundamentals of the learning process and various models of online courses to determine your learning preferences and which forms of online learning are best for you. Activities address common misconceptions, frustrations and fears about online learning, and introduce techniques to help overcome such obstacles and gain confidence as a learner. Please contact us at 1-855-353-5949 or email [email protected] for more details.

Hey CK! We're so excited to announce Art group is running again, this time for 18-25 year olds! Join us & AwareHouse for a 6 week course, ALL ART SUPPLIES PROVIDED FOR FREE! (facilitated through Zoom). Call 519-437-6329 or email [email protected] for more info.

International Overdose Awareness Day is a global event held on 31 August each year and aims to raise awareness of overdose and reduce the stigma of a drug-relat...ed death. It also acknowledges the grief felt by families and friends remembering those who have died or had a permanent injury as a result of drug overdose. To learn more, visit https://www.overdoseday.com/ See more

Join us on September 22, 2020 for a virtual workshop on supporting students with Learning Disabilities and ADHD in the return to school during these unique time...s! Choose between three parent-focused workshops: Anxiety Reduction, Executive Functioning Strategies, and Parent Advocacy Skills. Also, participate in a Q&A with representatives from school boards across Ontario!

Hi Friends! We are looking for your feedback. Stay tuned to our social media pages next week and let your voice be heard. Your voice matters! #youthmentalhealth #accessopenmindsck #ywho #weappreciateyou

Time to meet another Youth Advisory Council member! Remember to stay tuned every month to our social media platforms where our YAC members will be sharing fun facts about themselves.

Wisdom2Action is looking for #youth to join their youth #advisory #commitee! This committee will identify #research and #knowledge #sharing #priorities for #suicide #prevention across #Canada. Email [email protected] by September 8 to apply!

With so much of our lives spent #online we want to be committing to things that are worth that extra #screen #time. Well we think that Youth REX's next #webinar... is one if them! Happening August 26, this session will cover #youth #mental #health in #COVID19 times and the inter-weaving of mental health with #race, #ethnicity, and #identity. More info here: https://bit.ly/3l82prl See more

The Mental Health Network of Chatham Kent - Hope House is offering their Free 2B Me group virtually! Check out the information below to get connected!