Mental Health Summer Program Offerings

An eight-session Cognitive Behavioural Therapy informed treatment group specifically for Two Spirit and LGBTQIA+ youth to develop coping skills for anxiety and stress related to experiences of discrimination connected to their sexual and gender identities. The goals of AFFIRM are to decrease unhelpful thoughts, feel better about yourself and to make healthy choices for sexual and mental health.  For ages 14+

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TRAILS (Transforming Research into Action to Improve the Lives of Students) groups are designed to help our children and youth (Grade 3-5 and Grade 7‐12) who struggle with moderate symptoms of stress, anxiety, and/or depression by teaching evidence‐based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and mindfulness skills. Children and youth who might benefit from the group are primarily having difficulty with both anxiety and depressive symptoms/low mood that is impairing their functioning. Children and youth interested in participating should have some awareness of their struggles and would be motivated to improve their coping skills.​

Referral Process

• ​Parents/guardians of elementary students can contact the school administrator or SERT to request a referral be made.
• Secondary Students - Referral for Group Summer Mental Health Services
  

Chill Club is a proactive group designed for students in Grade 4-6 who are exhibiting symptoms of anxiety/worry that are mild to moderate in severity (not causing significant impairment in their day to day lives). The group focuses on understanding worry and how worry manifests in the body as well as exploring strategies to cope with feelings of worry. Children/youth learn to normalize feelings of worry and parents receive information about what their child has learned in the group so they can support the use of their new learning in the home environment.​

Referral Process

• ​Parents/guardians of elementary students can contact the school administrator or SERT to request a referral be made.
• Secondary Students - Referral for Group Summer Mental Health Services
  

The Program for the Education and Enrichment of Relational Skills (PEERS®) is world-renowned for providing evidence-based didactic social skills to socially-motivated adolescents, with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and other socio-emotional difficulties. This program is suitable for students who want to learn how to make and keep friends and handle conflict, rejection and bullying. Suitable for Grade 7-12​

Referral Process

• ​Parents/guardians of elementary students can contact the school administrator or SERT to request a referral be made.
• Secondary Students - Referral for Group Summer Mental Health Services
  

This is a program for secondary school students who are experiencing anxiety and/or depression, managing big emotions and feelings of being overwhelmed that are impacting their ability to attend school, perform in school, and/or interact with others. This is a DBT-informed group for elementary students in Grades 7 and 8 and high school students in Grade 9-12. ​

Referral Process

• ​Parents/guardians of elementary students can contact the school administrator or SERT to request a referral be made.
• Secondary Students - Referral for Group Summer Mental Health Services
  

This group will focus on elevating and affirming the voices of Black youth. Many of our youth may be experiencing the harmful impacts of Anti-Black Racism. Students in Grade 7-12 will be welcomed in a culturally responsive program to talk about their struggles, affirm each other, be heard and focus on their wellness. This group will give our youth a strong sense
of belonging.

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HDSB is partnering with PCHS to co-lead groups for South Asian identifying youth (Grade 9 to 12).​ The sessions will focus on: increasing knowledge and awareness of the challenges faced by youth; for example, barriers in accessing support and services; understanding stigma and its impact on the mental health and wellness of youth within these communities; appreciation and mindfulness of the relationship between the eastern and western cultures they live in; providing internal and external resources to participants.​​

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Youth Mental Health and Wellness Sessions: HDSB is collaborating with PCHS to facilitate group sessions for Muslim identifying youth (Grade 9 to 12). The sessions will focus on: increasing knowledge and awareness of the challenges faced by youth; for example, barriers in accessing support and services; understanding stigma and its impact on the mental health and wellness of youth within these communities; appreciation and mindfulness of the relationship between the eastern and western cultures they live in; providing internal and external resources to participants.​​​​​

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Indigenous Circle (Grade 7-12) - Enaahtig Services will be holding an Indigenous Circle for HDSB students. The purpose of this group is to share knowledge and questions about transitions and changing times​.

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