Right from the Start
325 Squirrel St, T1L 1K1 Banff, AB, Canada

A good pun AND mental health message . If you need someone to talk to: reach out to a loved one, go to https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/amh/Page16759.aspx , or check out our website for local supports.

Know that your small act of kindness can make a big difference. It's your presence that counts!

For many people, the holidays bring unwanted stress and even anger. It's okay if it's not the most wonderful time of the year. . If you're feeling especially overwhelmed, sad or angry - Reach out to a loved one, go to https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/amh/Page16759.aspx , or check out our website for local supports. . : Artist BKM

The holidays will look different this year. Here are a few safe ways to celebrate outdoors with members of your household: Outdoor ice skating Family sl...edding Cross country skiing Walk around your neighborhood to enjoy the holiday lights & decorations Organize a car train to tour Christmas lights Visit: https://www.alberta.ca/article-holidays-during-covid-19.aspx for more information.

What a smart cookie

We are so excited to introduce ! Join us via Facebook Live while we chat with Bow Valley experts about things popping up in our community. On November 10th at 8:30 am, we will be joined by experts from Bow Valley Mental Health and Addiction to talk about Anxiety and Uncertainty! Grab a cup of tea and meet us on Facebook Live to hear tips and tricks around managing our anxiety and our little one's anxiety, or to ask our experts questions. . .... Bow Valley Primary Care Network Bow Valley Family Resource Network SETTLEMENT SERVICES IN THE BOW VALLEY Community Wellness in the Bow Valley Canmore Collegiate High School Banff Community High School Banff Elementary School Alpenglow Community Education Society - ACES Elizabeth Rummel School Lawrence Grassi Middle School Canadian Rockies Public Schools Bow Valley Wellness, Recovery & Preparedness Committee See more

It's okay (so important!) to take a break. Here are a few suggestions: Read a book/watch a movie. Turn off your phone and take a nap! Do a creative activity, put on headphones and dance! Log off from social media or news outlets for a little while. But before you do, tell us how you take a break! Littleearthlings Bst Banff Elementary School Lawrence Grassi Middle School Canmore Collegiate Banff Community High School Bow Valley Primary Care Network SETTLEMENT SERVICES IN THE BOW VALLEY

The Commmunity Conversation this Thursday, Nov. 19 at 7 pm (talking about "embracing simple: the art of hygge") is going virtual! Please register to get the link: 403-609-3743 or [email protected] If we can't be together in person, let's just be together! Town of Canmore YWCA Banff Programs and Services Community Helpers Banff Elementary School Banff Community High School Banff Canmore Community Foundation Canmore Collegiate high school

Our November Newsletter is out! Check it out for upcoming community programming from our community partners for parents, teens, and kids of all ages! Of special interest, RFTS is going Live with FB live in November talking about anxiety/uncertainty. Join us for the "Morning Tea" with Right from the Start and our local AHS experts! Click below for more info! #mentalhealthawareness #banff #canmore #AHS #MHCB https://conta.cc/31MI6rp

resilience noun the capacity to recover quickly from difficulties; toughness. We love @BELIEVEPHQ posts and love to share them! Resilience is bouncing back after you've been down and out. There is a lot of down and out right now! How are you taking care of yourself and loved ones and role modeling resilience?

Yesterday was World Kindness Day - maybe you missed it? If so today is a new day to spread kindness into the world. What act of kindness can you share with someone today? #banff #townofbanff #canmore #townofcanmore #mentalhealth #mentalwellness #mentalhealthcapacitybuilding #albertahealthservices #mhcb #ahs #canadianrockiespublicschools #kindness

"Crafting Calm during COVID and Beyond" is a program for 5-8-year-olds and their caregiver. A fun and enjoyable experience for all! These sessions will incorporate a mindfulness practice, a story, or a book, and of course, a craft and movement! This is a program to help families connect and continue to build their wellness toolkits. $25 for all 6 sessions with financial help as needed. Please register at www.artsplacecanmore.ca artsPlace #canmorealberta #mentalhealth #buildyourtoolkit #havefun #familytime #mindfulness #boostyourmood #happiness #selfcare

On Oct 21 many classrooms across the Bow Valley participated in Take Me Outside. Take Me Outside Day is a reminder to do just that. It’s an invitation to schools to extend the classroom beyond four walls and a desk and engage with school grounds and natural areas. See some grade 8 Banff Elementary School students enjoying a Walk of Wow with our Success Coach Kat Wiebe. Getting outside during the school day has so many benefits it would be hard to list them all. #selfcare #selfregulation #NaturalLearning #takemeoutside #mentalhealth #AHS #boostyourmood #healthychildren #mindbodyconnection #happiness https://www.youtube.com/watch

Kat Wiebe works Banff Elementary School as a Success Coach, putting her B.Ed to good use in her universal classroom presentations on mental health and wellness. Dovetailing AB curriculum and best practices for positive mental health, Kat supports the social/emotional development of all students at BES. Kat looks for quiet moments in her day, and she loves to laugh with her family and friends. Contact: [email protected] #banffalberta #mentalhealthcapacitybuilding #mentalhealthawareness #AHS #teamwork

Kate Rive has worked with RFTS for a decade and finds immense joy working with children and families at Elizabeth Rummel School promoting positive mental health. Kate is a mindfulness facilitator and professional Life Coach and shares her Parent Coaching skills with ERS families. Kate takes care of her own mental health by being grateful, practicing mindfulness daily and playing outside. Canadian Rockies Public Schools #canmorealberta #mentalhealthcapacitybuilding #AHS #teamworkmakesthedreamwork #mentalhealth #banffalberta Contact: [email protected]

The one and only...Deren Alward. Right from the Start is so lucky to have an authentic, vulnerable male role model for our kids and students at Canadian Rockies Public Schools Lawrence Grassi Middle School. Deren Alward has a Bachelor of Education, is the Success Coach and Wellness Mentor at both ERS (once a week) and at Lawrence Grassi Middle School (4 days/week). He has the privilege of discussing pertinent social/emotional issues with students and staff and working with un...iversal mental health messaging. He finds assisting with their health and wellness to be incredibly gratifying. Working closely with school staff and community partners, Deren supports families and small groups of students to navigate the world of middle school. His personal mental health is enhanced by being physically active and is supported by his friends and community. Contact: [email protected] See more

Craving conversation and connection? This month's community conversation topic is: The social media dilemma. Be sure to register to secure your spot to gather with others for this compelling conversation (covid guidelines in place). #townofcanmore #AHS #ywcabanff #communityconversations #mentalhealth #mhcb #thesocialmediadilemma

Megan Jenniex is a Success Coach at Banff Elementary School. She has been with RFTS for just over a year! Megan earned her Bachelor in Criminal Justice before spending time working in youth mental health and joining the Right from the Start team. Megan is as eager to learn from the students, staff and families at BES as she is to work with them. Megan enjoys building strong relationships and connections with students and being creative in her universal delivery to classes. Megan supports her own mental health by spending time outside rock climbing or hiking, practicing mindfulness, and spending time with family and friends. Contact: [email protected]

Who are we? Meet the team one by one! Mary Weighell is the Project Manager of Right from the Start with a degree in Applied Child Studies and a recent certification as a Registered Massage Therapist. Mary has always had a passion for early intervention and prevention work. Mary believes in full mind/body health and wellness. Her work with Right from the Start supports the great work done every day by the RFTS team throughout the CRPS division. Mary supports her own mental health with daily physical exercise and playing in the mountains. Contact: [email protected]

Did you know that Right from the Start (RFTS) is a Mental Health Capacity Building Program that is provincially-funded through Alberta Health Services? With many programs that span across the province of Alberta, our programs in the last year have supported 121,755 students, across 371 schools in 133 communities. With the focus of our programming, we help to support students and families through universal mental health programming and referrals to other support services in the community. We are an integrated and integral part of the community to support mental health education for our students, families, and community partners. For more information on RFTS please visit our website see link in our bio.

Your relationship is key to reducing stress. There is no such thing as a bad kid - just a stressed kid. Hidden stressors are things in your life that can't always be seen. Hunger, noises, trauma, past experiences. What hidden stressors does the child/teen in your life have? #selfreg #stuartshanker #mentalhealthcapacitybuilding #relationshipmatters #mentalhealth #selfawareness #stress #MHCB #AHS #SelfRegSchools

RFTS wishes you and your loved ones a connecting Thanksgiving! #banff #townofbanff #canmore #townofcanmore #mentalhealth #mentalwellness #mentalhealthcapacitybuilding #albertahealthservices #mhcb #ahs #canadianrockies #wellnesswheel #mhcb #ahs #happiness #gratitude #mindfulness #beingpresent #findjoy