Centre for School Mental Health and The Fourth R
1137 Western Road, UWO - Faculty of Education N6G 1G7 London, ON, Canada

Congratulations to Nicole on her successful defence of her capstone research!!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Dr. Maisha Syeda is leading a webinar on using emotion-focused strategies to support your adolescent on Wednesday March 24th at 7pm. Register at the link below. #adolescents #mentalhealth https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/emotion-focused-strategies-to-s

Learn how to stop #cyberbullying by checking out these helpful resources for youth, parents, caregivers, and educators! #pinkshirtday

Let's celebrate #pinkshirtday today and everyday!! #kindness #lifteachotherup

We are excited to partner with Child & Youth Development Clinic - Western University to run a virtual STRONG group with Grade 9 newcomer youth! #newcomer #youth #resilience

Looking for a way to entertain the young ones? A fun and interactive activity in our community for kids 3-6 and their parents!

A wonderful initiative by Western Law! Check out this free LSAT prep course being offered. Deadline to register is December 21st. #westernu #westernlaw #LSAT

A message from Western University President Alan Shepard.

Hot off the press! In our Fall newsletter, we highlight updates on our research projects and the ways we've started to pivot in response to the new education environment brought about by Covid-19. http://tiny.cc/ycl5tz

Fourth R Uniting Our Nations virtual training underway in Fort McMurray! Andrea Delaney and Mike Cywink are teaching ways of learning so students feel they have a voice, and can help one another. #healthyrelationships #indigenousmentoring #FourthR #virtualtraining #communitycircle #respect #sharing #righttopass #attentivelistening

The Everyday Mental Health Classroom Resource by @SMHO_SMSO is now redesigned & online! Designed to help educators & teachers enhance students' social-emotional learning skills and well-being, these practices are easy-to-implement and can be used as part of the school day, including online learning! https://smho-smso.ca/emhc/

For our #CSMHRISER project we’ve partnered with so many great organizations and schools across the country. Check out our story map to see all the places our Healthy Relationships Program #HRPE is happening! http://tiny.cc/6ii1tz

October is LGBTHistoryMonth. Our own Annaliese developed Building Capacity to Work with LGBT2Q+ Youth: Understanding Concepts and Terminology to help our #CSMHRISER partners support LGBT2Q+ youth across Canada. Check it out to learn more! http://tiny.cc/udb0tz

Calling all B.Ed students! We are conducting a study on Tech Resiliency - an online platform providing teachers with tools and resources to help establish classroom wellness and maintain teacher wellbeing. You will receive a $20 gift card for participation in this study! Sign up here: https://uwo.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_a68ebwaG8jtqZud

Latest CSMH journal article! A look at the impact and experiences of the STRONG Resiliency Program for Newcomer Youth. shorturl.at/ikwL3

New CSMH journal article on our work with LGBT2Q+ youth: 'The Impact of Requiring Parental or Guardian Consent on Research With Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Two-Spirit, Queer/Questioning Youth' http://tiny.cc/eulzsz

While October 10 is World Mental Health Day, for us at the Centre for School Mental Health, it is every day! Through MindUP and trauma-informed care, CSMH and LDCSB have been promoting positive mental health, building resiliency, and reducing negative behaviours in young students. Watch the video to hear some positive affirmations from a MindUP student! https://youtu.be/oYdbUtMbEBM

The realities of facilitating #HealthyRelationships groups in a pandemic. #CSMHRISER

Highlighting our partnership with the Muslim Resource Centre for Social Support & Integration (MRCSSI) to implement the STRONG program! Dr. Claire Crooks and Lina Saadeddin speak about the programs importance for newcomers to Canada, especially in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic.

**Update** The latest update for Covid-19 testing on campus.

New shirts! Support the cause! The Office of Indigenous Initiatives at Western, in partnership with The Bookstore at Western, is selling orange shirts in support of #OrangeShirtDay on September 30, 2020.

"... it will be critical that schools develop strong mental health programs to support students as they embark on yet another jarring transition during what has already been a tumultuous year." #mentalhealth #backtoschool

The return to classes this year looks and feels very different. One way Western University is helping is by providing counselling services from CMHA for anyone in need of support.

The Faculty of Education is among six Western faculties and schools who will share almost $3.6 million from the Canada Foundation for Innovations John R. Evans Leaders Fund.

Public Health Agency of Canada: "It will be important to promote mental health and provide mental health support services and resources as children/youth may experience increased social, mental and emotional distress associated with COVID-19 and this support can contribute to their resiliency. https://tinyurl.com/y5sbktg3

NEW RESOURCE We are proud to announce a new publication in Mindfulness: Impact of MindUP Among Young Children: Improvements in Behavioral Problems, Adaptive Skills, and Executive Functioning Read the full journal article here: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12671-020-01460-0... More about the MindUP for Young Children project here: https://www.csmh.uwo.ca/research/mindup.html

The #SSHRC Postdoctoral Fellowships are now open for applications! Deadline to apply is September 16, 2020 (8 p.m. EST) Get the details you need to start your application! https://tinyurl.com/y3jzkr7z

Janice Forsyth, Director of Indigenous Studies at Western University, still believes theres work to be done. #indigenous #westernu

Western University students ingenuity on full display! #westernuniversity #COVID19 #inclusivity

This Fall, were so excited to welcome so many new Mustangs into our community, and we know that you have a lot on your minds about your next big chapter. The ...good news is that Western is your new home, and its a home that is made up of so many different students, faculty and staff from all sorts of different backgrounds and experiences. Our community is a living thing that is made up of its people and that includes you. When you get here, youll bring your own stories that will contribute to who we are together. Western has many different places where you can find and build your community. Here are just a few ways you can connect with your new community: 1 Stay in touch with the University Students Council of Westerns Peer Programs 2 Get involved with the University Students Councils clubs: https://westernusc.ca/clubs/ 3 Meet with a Peer Guide from the International and Exchange Student Centre at Western (IESC at Western) 4 Check out the Indigenous Student Centre: https://indigenous.uwo.ca/students/ 5 Connect with our new Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Education Coordinator: https://www.uwo.ca/se/digital/types/equity.html

Janice Forsyth, Director of Indigenous Studies at Western University, still believes there's work to be done. #indigenous #westernu

Western University students' ingenuity on full display! #westernuniversity #COVID19 #inclusivity

Mental health is health. An important statement from @CAMH #mentalhealthawareness

A very important and significant investment in the mental health of students from the Government of Ontario today. #schoolmentalhealth https://news.ontario.ca//ontario-makes-major-investment-in

NEW RESOURCE "A Pilot and Adaptation of a Social-Emotional Learning Program in Youth Justice Settings, Feedback Report - Winnipeg, Manitoba Manitoba Government View the full report, here: https://csmh.uwo.ca//Manitoba-Feedback-Report-March-2020.p... #CSMHRISER #HRPE

Sending out a big CONGRATULATIONS to our 2020 Faculty of Education - Western University scholarship recipients! Ray Hughes Scholarship on Innovative Practices in Violence Prevention - Alisha Wegman, Yr2 BEd... David Wolfe Scholarship on Research on Violence Prevention: Bridget Houston, Yr2 MA

Our Fourth R Indigenous Mentoring Programs page is now active! If you know an FNMI student or parent of a student in the Thames Valley District School Board, please direct them to this page. Our Student Mentor and Program Liaison, Mike Cywink, will be sharing valuable information as we begin to wrap up the 2019/20 school year and prepare for the 2020/21 school year.

Catch this series dedicated to educators working with youth; covering dating violence, cyberbullying + healthy relationships. 20-minute talks and tip sheets from Claire Crooks, Deinera Exner-Cortens, Wendy Craig & Joanne Cummings. PREVNet Watch now

Last week was Mental Health Week! Thames Valley District School Board Mental Health Lead, Kelly Appleby, sat down with Mike Cywink, Student Mentor and Program Liaison for the Fourth R Uniting Our Nations programming to talk about mental health and well-being from a FNMI perspective. Watch the full clip (linked below) Short clip: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gUYzANxHJXc... Or, learn more about the Fourth R Uniting Our Nations programming: https://www.csmh.uwo.ca/research/uniting_our_nations.html

NEW RESOURCE "Psychosocial interventions in schools with newcomers: A structured conceptualization of system, design, and individual needs." Read the full journal article, here: https://csmh.uwo.ca//Crooks-Smith-RobinsonLink-Orenstein-H National Center for School Mental Health ... #STRONG_FORT See more

Ask us anything! Were live with two expert researchers to answer your questions about COVID-19. Dr. Chandlee Dickey and Barb MacQuarrie are weighing in on your questions about mental health, personal safety and isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Congratulations to one of our year two Ph.D. students, Brad Daly. Brad is a recipient of the Scotiabank Undergraduate Award for Studies in Violence against Women and Children! Read more about Brads research interests and work with our Centre below

NEW from the MindUP for Young Children project! Learn how children within the London District Catholic School Board have been using this MindUP Core Practice, a mindful breathing exercise, to calm and focus their minds in the classroom. Learn more about the MindUP for Young Children project, here: https://www.csmh.uwo.ca/research/mindup.html...

Coming up this afternoon (12pm EST) from Western University Alumni, Dr. Claire Crooks will describe simple, evidence-based strategies (such as gratitude + mindfulness) to help cultivate resilience for children during stressful times. Register now for this FREE Zoom webinar https://www.westernconnect.ca/site/Calendar

Last week, we celebrated a victory Congratulations to our own Faculty of Education - Western University MA student, Bridget Houston, on her successful thesis defence. Bridget worked under the supervision of Dr. Claire Crooks on the topic of "Implementation of a Healthy Relationships program (HRP) with Youth of the Childrens Aid Society." #CSMHRISER #HRPE Childrens Aid Society of London and Middlesex... Learn more about the HRP program, here: https://rise-r-1-westernu.hub.arcgis.com/

An outstanding milestone achieved! The Teach Mental Health online course for pre-service and current teachers just surpassed the 10k mark for participation. Educators, this course is seven modules, FREE and ready for you: https://pdce.educ.ubc.ca/learn-mental-health-literacy/ Teenmentalhealth.org | Faculty of Education - Western University | StFX University | UBC Faculty of Education | UBC - Professional Development & Community Engagement

Tune in for a live Q&A broadcast with our COVID-19 experts. Join Maxwell Smith, Faculty of Health Sciences - Western University and Prachi Srivastava, Faculty of Education - Western University, as they answer your questions on the ethics, education and social impact of COVID-19. They will explore topics such as: inequitable access to remote learning resources effects of school closures on children and youth... when to relax social distancing measures the allocation of scarce health resources like ventilators and respirators. This broadcast is free and open to all. Reserve your complimentary access by registering here: https://www.westernconnect.ca/site/Calendar Registered participants will be contacted via email with the details needed to join the webinar using a computer or any mobile device.

Parents and Guardians - do you have a child (in elementary or secondary school) in need of virtual tutoring? Read more and request a session, here: https://edu.uwo.ca/news-events/2020/virtual-tutoring.html Thames Valley District School Board London District Catholic School Board

NEW RESOURCE "Feasibility trial of the school-based STRONG intervention to promote resilience among newcomer youth." Read the full journal article, here https://www.csmh.uwo.ca//Crooks-Hoover-Smith-STRONG-2020.p

Bold efforts in unprecedented times: $1 million federal funding backs Western COVID-19 vaccine research. Today, Western researchers received $998,840 towards e...fforts to establish and test an effective vaccine for SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19). At the same time, the team is also developing a vaccine bank that would contain ready-made vaccines to be used rapidly at the start of another coronavirus outbreak. The team at Western is led by Eric Arts and fellow Schulich researchers Stephen Barr, Chil-Yong Kang and Ryan Troyer. The announcement was part of a $25.6-million investment by CIHR. Canadian Institutes of Health Research Justin Trudeau Healthy Canadians Patty Hajdu Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry - Western University

COVID-19 Campus Update: Western continues to monitor the evolving situation with the COVID-19 pandemic and takes its direction and shares information from feder...al, provincial and local health authorities. As a result of a series of directives over the weekend, there are several important updates for our campus community. 1 Closure of Some Campus Facilities: Based on advice from local health officials and in keeping with decisions being made across the City of London, effective March 16, 2020 the following facilities will be closed until further notice: Western Campus Recreation, Thompson Arena, The Michael Kirkley Training Centre, Child Care at the UCC Flex Centre, YMCA University Child Care Centre, The Canadian Centre for Activity and Aging, McIntosh Gallery, Child and Youth Development Clinic. The Dental Clinics at the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry will be closed with the exception of urgent care services run by full-time dentists. Selected libraries will remain open, with limited hours, social distancing measures, and restricted to only Western users. More information will be available early this week about upcoming library closures and reductions in hours. Westerns residences remain open. Most retail outlets remain open, including the University Pharmacy, and The Book Store. We recommend checking Westerns main COVID-19 website regularly for updates: uwo.ca/coronavirus. The situation is evolving rapidly and if you are unsure about the status of a facility or program, we recommend calling ahead. 2 Self-Isolation for People Returning to Canada: On Saturday, March 14, the Government of Canada announced all travelers returning to Canada from abroad must self-isolate at home for 14 days whether they have symptoms or not. Western employees who are impacted by this directive should speak with their supervisors as soon as possible. Public Health Ontario to help people learn how to properly self-isolate: https://www.publichealthontario.ca//factsheet-covid-19-how We recognize supervisors in units across campus may have questions about how this self-isolation requirement may impact their operations. Questions can be directed to the contact information noted in our most recent update. https://www.uwo.ca/coronavirus/updates/latest.html These decisions are being made to keep our community as healthy and safe as possible. We all have a role to play in preventing the potential spread of COVID-19. Western will continue to provide as much information as we can throughout the coming days, as quickly as possible. The campus community continues to rally in supporting each other through these extraordinary times. Please continue to show the care, compassion, patience and understanding that is the Western way.

AVAILABLE NOW Our latest Centre newsletter for Spring 2020 is now available. Visit the link below to read our current and past issues https://www.csmh.uwo.ca/about/newsletters.html

Parents and Educators - theres a new and popular app out there; have you heard of it? Its called TikTok and it has surpassed Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and Snapchat in monthly installs already. Is the app safe? What do parents need to know? How can parents talk to their children and teens about healthy social media use? Presenting The Screen Challenge: a one-hour face-to-face presentation for parents of elementary and secondary age children and youth to help address current issues associated with youth engaged in social media and technology. Well cover other topics such as cyberbullying, sexting, self-esteem, sleep, addiction and mental health. Each presentation is fully customizable based on your desired topics. To learn more and request a quote, visit: https://www.csmh.uwo.ca/research/the-screen-challenge.html

Congratulations to Arely Rodriquez Alcocer, who successfully defended her Ph.D. this afternoon at the Faculty of Education - Western University! Arely worked under the supervision of Dr. Claire Crooks. Her research focus was "Social-Emotional Competencies in Pre-Service Teachers."

Registration is now OPEN for the Pan-Canadian Summit on K-12 Workplace Well-Being in Edmonton, Alberta, May 11-13, 2020. Dr. Susan Rodger will deliver a workshop on Understanding Teacher Burnout & Compassion Fatigue. Details + registration info: https://edcansummit.ca

Filming day with St. Mark Catholic School, London District Catholic School Board. A new and updated MindUP project video coming soon!

The very first English-French bilingual STRONG/FORT training kicked off this morning in Ottawa! Photo 1 (L-R) - Dr. Maisha Syeda (CSMH), Gina Kayssi (CSMH), Alexandra Fortier (SMHO/SMSO), Dr. Sharon Hoover (NCSMH), and Andranne Fleck (SMHO/SMSO)

Happy Family Day from our CSMH family to yours!

Student Leadership Council #3 with our Thames Valley District School Board FNMI students. The group spent the morning participating in a Kairos Blanket Activity - a 45-minute experiential workshop covering 500 years about the shared history as Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples in Canada.

Join our Postdoctoral Associate, Dr. Maisha Syeda on Friday, February 14 in the Kresge Building, Room K203 for a seminar on Teaching Healthy Relationship Skills to Youth: Why it should be a Public Health Initiative. Learn more about the Epidemiology and Biostatistics Seminar Series, here: https://www.schulich.uwo.ca/ep/about_us/seminar_series.html Faculty of Education - Western University... Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry - Western University See more