Stepping Stones to Mental Health
2651 Chinook Winds Drive SW Airdrie, AB, Canada

*NEW* ADHD & Executive Functioning with COVID-19 Considerations CES webinar: The session will be an overview of ADHD and how issues with impulsivity and/or inattention impact children's ability to manage their environments. The session will also explore the impact ADHD has on Executive Functioning and how it relates to managing everyday tasks and meeting daily expectations at home and at school, including social, emotional, behavioural and academic demands.... Dates: Wednesday March 17, 2021 1:00pm - 3:00pm Thursday April 22, 2021 6:30pm - 8:30pm Register online: https://buff.ly/39E1qb7 #MHCBAlbert

Looks like our video yesterday didn’t load, so guess what! You get two stories today! With Family Literacy Day come and gone for another year, we encourage you to see how you can add some literacy based activities into your daily routine. Maybe it’s reading for 15 minutes before bed, listening to a story online, or practicing your own story telling and writing by journaling or blogging! All of these activities help us feel good mentally and help our brain grow stronger! #mhcb #mentalhealth #steppingstonestomentalhealth #familyliteracyday

We have some Psychological First Aid courses coming up that are FREE to join, including one this Saturday, January 16th from 9-11am! The virtual 2-hour Psychological First Aid (PFA) for a Pandemic-Child, Youth & Family Webinar has been developed to support professionals (teachers, school administration staff, community partners, counsellors, etc.), as well as parents and caregivers to enhance skills and increase confidence when supporting children, youth and families during the COVID-19 pandemic. #MHCBAlberta #mentalhealth #psychologicalfirstaid #mentalhealthsupport #virtuallearning #professionallearning

Happy Family Literacy Day! Get cozy this evening and listen to Allison share a story with you all! Engaging in family literacy activities strengthens the relationship between family members, which in turns creates life long learning!

MHCB, Stepping Stones to Mental Health and the Chestermere Mental Health Coalition has partnered to bring you the first annual Chestermere Wellness Challenge! Starting on January 11th teams of 4 are invited to register for the challenge that will take place from January 24th to March 6th, 2021. Registration will take place online at https://buff.ly/38z3owf with a registration fee of $10/participant or $40/team. The fee will go toward the prize pool. We will be hosting an on...line orientation session on Tuesday, January 19 at 7:00pm. During the orientation we will share the participant package with all of the teams, review the points system, weekly workshops, and Facebook Group. Team members of all ages are welcome. Teams can consist of family members, friends, co-workers, teammates, etc. The challenges are designed for people of all ages and abilities. We invite you to participate in the Challenge as part of a team. Everyone is welcome! #MHCBAlberta #StayWellChestermere

Have you had time to play lately? The Chestermere & Area Mental Health Coalition Wellness Challenge brings a well-rounded approach to wellness by focusing on your 5 - sleep, work/school, nutrition, relationships, and play. The 6-week challenge will include tips and presentations from community experts, with fun and interactive ways to improve your 5! The challenge begins January 18, 2021 - stay tuned for more info! #StayWellChestermere #MHCBAlberta

We're offering a new round of mental health and wellness sessions for online high school students, starting Feb 4! These sessions are all virtual and students can sign up at https://buff.ly/2M7aCiA. #MHCBAlberta #mentalhealth #wellness #onlinelearning #rockyviewschools #rvsed

Today's act of kindness: Video call a friend or family member and let them know how much you appreciate them! Connecting with others can: - Help lower feelings of anxiety and depression - Help us regulate our emotions... - Lead to higher self-esteem & empathy - Improve our immune systems #MHCBAlberta #MentalHealthMatters #actsofkindness #KindnessMatters #Mentalhealth #feelgood See more

Did you know engaging in literacy-related activities just 15 minutes a day can improve literacy skills dramatically? Not to mention, reading is a great self-care strategy. Listen to today’s book about a brave giraffe. What is something brave you have done?

Today's act of kindness: Make a handmade gift for someone! It’s a unique way of telling your recipient that they are special. After all, the gift itself took time to be created and nothing spells love better than T-I-M-E. #MHCBAlberta #MentalHealthMatters #actsofkindness #KindnessMatters #Mentalhealth #feelgood

Bullying Awareness Week continues. What is NOT bullying? Bullying behaviours are often mistaken for other behaviours. Bullying is repeated, intentionally mean and based on a power imbalance. These types of behaviours are not bullying: teasing, conflict, rudeness or meanness. For more information please visit https://buff.ly/2Krp6WD

We had an amazing group last week to learn about the MindUP program! Staff learned about the importance of the brain and how we can calm it down when worried, angry, or sad. They will be taking what they learned back into the classroom to give their students the tools needed to handle stressful situations! Here is some of the great work they did in explaining the parts of the brain! #MHCBAlberta #MentalHealthMatters #MentalHealthAwareness #MindUP #mindfulness #amygdala #brainscience #hippocampus #learning #stafftraining

We are so excited to have started running MindUP with the virtual grade 4 students! We have 11 classes that are all going to be learning about their brain, how to calm it down when big emotions take over, and how to be more mindful. Special thanks goes out to Closer to Home Community Services Viewpoints program for helping us teach some of the classes! It's always great to build connections between students and our community partners. #MHCBAlberta #mindfulness #MindUp #mentalhealthmatters

Happy World Kindness Day! Did you know that people who are kind produce 23% less cortisol, which is a stress hormone. Because of the lower levels of stress, people who practice kindness age slower then the average population. Help us sprinkle kindness around our world and join us in our kindness bingo contest! Upload a picture of your completed kindness bingo card (one line) or comment on this post telling us something kind you did for yourself or someone else to be entered ...into a draw to win a wellness gift basket! Contest closes Friday, November 20th! Remember your smile is the reason for many others to smile!

Today's act of kindness: Shovel a neighbour's sidewalk or driveway! If there's no snow, try bringing them a gift of the baking from yesterday. #MHCBAlberta #MentalHealthMatters #actsofkindness #KindnessMatters #Mentalhealth #feelgood

Bullying Awareness Week continues with education and awareness of this behaviour. Bullying can happen to anyone. It is repeated mean, cruel, hurtful behaviours done on purpose by someone with more power. There are 4 types of bullying: verbal, physical, social and cyber. For more information follow this link https://buff.ly/2Krp6WD: 1-888-456-2323

Know a teen who is going to be becoming an adult soon? The Airdrie Public Library is offering a great series of Adulting 101 sessions. Next week we'll be joining them to talk about self-esteem! Register online at https://buff.ly/3mQTtqi #MHCBAlberta #adulting #selfesteem #Mentalhealth #MentalHealthAwareness #airdrie #virtualprogram

We are inviting applications for a temporary, full time (35 hours/week) Success Coach position starting immediately. The Success Coach works under the direction of the Stepping Stones Program Manager and in collaboration with school administration, guidance department staff and community partners. The Success Coach provides universal and targeted programming to the entire community in order to promote mental health and well-being, as well as to increase knowledge and resiliency in adults who interact with children and youth. The successful candidate will have a valid Alberta Class 5 Motor Vehicle Operators License and access to a reliable vehicle as travel is required. For more information or to apply to this position please visit: https://www.apply to buff.ly/2G3qFtC Thank you!

*FREE* online programming available for RVS students in Grades 9 - 12; register online at https://buff.ly/36YHnpQ

Bullying Awareness Week: Bullying is any repeated, hostile or demeaning behaviour intended to cause harm, fear or distress, including physical or psychological harm. Bullying Helpline: 1-888-456-2323 to get help anonymously in more than 170 languages or find other supports. Bullying Helpline Chat: to get help anonymously from noon to 8 pm, 7 days a week.

Did you know October is Positive Attitude Month? A positive attitude is one way to improve your mental health that doesn't need any special tools. Here are 5 tips to keep a positive attitude! #MHCBAlberta #MentalHealth #positivemindset #PositiveAttitudeMonth #mentalhealthtips #PositiveVibes #gratitude

George McDougal High School made this wonderful display for Orange Shirt Day. It's a great reminder of how many were impacted by residential schools and are still dealing the that trauma. #orangeshirtday2020 #residentialschoolsurvivors #IndigenousPeoples #orangeshirtday

Listen to Phyllis talk about the reason behind Orange Shirt Day. It's heartbreaking to think about the children who were taken away from their homes and their culture, some to never return. Today, September 30th, is a day to commemorate the residential school experience, to witness and honour the healing journey of the survivors and their families, and to commit to the ongoing process of reconciliation. #MHCBAlberta #OrangeShirtDay #OrangeShirtDay2020 #IndigenousPeoples #residentialschoolsurvivors #residentialschool

**6 Spaces Left! Register today for our HeartMath session coming up tomorrow morning at 8:30am at the RVS Education Centre. Register online at https://buff.ly/2KapMPB #MHCBAlberta

What's going on this October at Community Links! See below for new and resuming programming taking place at Community Links in October. #MHCBAlberta

Orange Shirt Day is coming up this week on Wednesday, September 30th. The orange shirt in Orange Shirt Day refers to the new shirt that Phyllis Webstad was given to her by her grandmother for her first day at a residential school. When Phyllis got to school, they took away her clothes, including her new shirt. It was never returned. To Phyllis, the colour orange has always reminded her of her experiences at residential school and, as she has said, how my feelings didn’t ma...tter, how no one cared and I felt like I was worth nothing. All of us little children were crying and no one cared. The message that Phyllis wants to pass along on Orange Shirt Day and every day is that every child matters. Orange Shirt Day was started by Phyllis to educate people about residential schools and fight racism and bullying. In recognition of those impacted by residential schools, racism, and bullying, we encourage you to wear an orange shirt on Wednesday and show your support. #OrangeShirtDay #MHCBAlberta #ResidentialSchools #bullying #racism #mentalhealth

*Updated location* Join us in-person for the upcoming Transform Your Stress: The Resilience Advantage workshop on October 1st, 2020 from 8:30am - 12:30pm. The session will take place at the Rocky View Schools Education Centre in Airdrie. Register online: https://buff.ly/2KapMPB #MHCBAlberta

We're bringing our sidewalk chalk out tomorrow to spread some positive messages! Come see us at Riverfront Park in Cochrane from 11am-1:30pm to pick up your free chalk kit. #MCHBAlberta #mentalhealth #cochrane #riverfrontpark #positivemindset #sidewalkchalk

Are you someone that looks out for the well-being of youth and/or young adults in your workplace, school, classroom, family or community? Self-care is important for everyone but it’s especially important for helpers. Join us for this mini-series brought to you by the Community Helpers Program where we’ll explore self-care for helpers. Topics include self-care strategies, understanding mental well-being, suicide, stress & coping, grief & loss, and community resources. Register now for the Self-Care for Community Helpers online course to learn why you need self-care! #MHCBAlberta https://buff.ly/35XHrpV

Interested in sharing your views on eMental Health? This is a unique opportunity to participate in a focus group or interview to share your thoughts and views on eMental Health for youth, parents, and mental health professionals. Please contact Dr. Gina Dimitropoulos at [email protected] or the Study Coordinator [email protected] for more information. #MHCBAlberta

Join us Tuesday Sep 22 to Chalk About Mental Health! We'll be giving out free sidewalk chalk kits for you and your kids to spread some positive messages about mental health around your community. We'll also have Viewpoints from Closer to Home with us, so stop on by to learn more! #MHCBAlberta #MentalHealthMatters #ChinookWindsPark #Airdrie #RockyView

In positive psychology research, gratitude is strongly and consistently associated with greater happiness. Gratitude helps people feel more positive emotions, relish good experiences, improve their health, deal with adversity, and build strong relationships. https://buff.ly/35NxXNV. #MHCBAlberta

We're offering Mental Health First Aid Adult Who Interact With Youth in November! This two day course is a great way to learn skills to support the youth in your life with their mental health. Register online at https://buff.ly/2KapMPB #MHCBAlberta #MentalHealthFirstAid #MentalHealthMatters #teenmentalhealth

Some great suggestions on how to support your child's mental health! #MHCBAlberta #Mentalhealth #support #mindfulness #MentalHealthMatters #anxiety #stressrelief #childmentalhealth

Make your own Worry Stone from clay to take with you anywhere you need it! We’ll be at Jensen Park in Airdrie this Tuesdsy afternoon from 2:00 - 4:00pm - come by and pick up a package or two to make after school! #ss2mh #mhcbalberta #worrystones #mindful #rvs #rockyviewschools

Do you know children or youth who are struggling with the stress of going back to school? Or any stress really? Check out this graphic from @wholeheartedschoolcounseling about focusing on what we can control! Changing our focus can go a long way in changing how we feel about a situation. Use this graphic to help guide your child or youth in changing their focus to what they can control, instead of stressing about what they can't. #MHCBAlberta #socialemotionallearning #traumainformed #copingskills #mindfulparenting #mindfulness #mentalhealthmatters #education #teaching #anxiety #stressreduction #locusofcontrol #focusofcontrol #wellbeing

Looking for how you can support your students with the "new normal"? Here are some trauma-informed teaching strategies to help our students process their stress. The Kids Are Alright: 10 Tips for Helping Kids Cope with Their New Normal https://buff.ly/2DIm6F6 #MHCBAlberta #mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #selfcare #anxiety #selflove #motivation #health #mentalhealthmatters #wellness #mindfulness #covid

If you enjoyed our Mindfulness in the Park activities over the summer and are looking for fun things to do this fall, our Stepping Stones booth will be up and running! This week’s activity is Worry Stones- make your own Worry Stone from mouldable clay to take with you anywhere you need it! We’ll be at Riverfront Park in Cochrane this Friday afternoon from 1:30 - 3:30pm - come by and pick up a package or two to make after school! #ss2mh #mhcbalberta #worrystones #mindfulnessinthepark #rvs #rockyviewschools

Today is World Suicide Prevention Day. The Public Health Agency of Canada provided this infographic with information on how suicide impacts Canadians. If you or someone you love is thinking of suicide, please reach out for help. You do not have to go through this alone. Health Link: 811 AHS Mental Health Line: 1-877-303-2642 Hope for Wellness: First Nations & Inuit Populations: 1-855-242-3310 or Online chat: https://buff.ly/3m4GtOj... Canada Suicide Prevention Service: 1-833-456-4566 or Text: 45645 (available 2pm-10pm MT) Transgender Suicide Hotline (Canada): 1-877-330-6366 Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868 or Online chat: https://buff.ly/3kdNlHt or Text CONNECT to 686868 Youthspace Online chat: https://buff.ly/2Zo62zU (available 7pm-1am MT) or Text: 778-783-0177 Calgary ConnecTeen (available Monday-Friday 3pm-10pm & Saturday, Sunday 12pm-10pm MT) https://buff.ly/3m17gLr or Text: 587-333-2724 #MHCBAlberta #Mentalhealth #WorldSuicidePreventionDay #suicide #SuicidePrevention #MentalHealthAwareness #reachout

September 10th is World Suicide Prevention Day. There will be a candlelight walk at the Pavilion at John Peak Park in Chestermere followed by a walk in recognition of all those who have been touched by suicide. If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, please reach out for help. Access Mental Health 403.943.1500 Kids Help Phone (24/7): 1-800-668-6868 Calgary Distress Centre (24/7): (403) 266-HELP [4357]... Calgary Women's Emergency Shelter: (403) 234-SAFE Suicide Prevention Line: 1-800-SUICIDE [784-2433] ConnecTeen: Call (24/7): 403.264.8336 Text (daily): 587-333-2724 #MHCBAlberta #MentalHealthMatters #SuicidePrevention #chestermere #JohnPeakPark