We want to hear how you are Supporting Mental Wellness during the Ring A Bell Campaign!
We are asking schools to share how they are supporting Mental Fitness – this could be a video, a poem, poster or even a song. Get creative! A monetary award of $200.00 will go to 1 school from each district, submissions chosen by the New Brunswick Youth Council. All submissions must be in by December 19 2023 to qualify for the monetary award. Send your entries to cmiles@partnersforyouth.ca. (If sending pictures, please ensure all youth have filled out appropriate consent forms for image sharing have been signed)
Why We Ring Bells…
For almost as long as history has been recorded, bells have been rung around the world to bring people together – sometimes to pray, to work, to war, to feast and, in times of crisis, to gather and unite. Used to send messages over long distances, bells can mean the beginning of something or the end of something. On Friday, December 8th, bells will ring in communities across the province to break the silence around mental illness and support the beginning of new and ongoing conversations on the importance of youth mental health.
Make some noise on December 8!
If your school has classes on December 8th, encourage students to bring a bell or something to make noise with for one minute at 12pm to show support for mental health. Some schools may opt to come together and ring bells together some will be ringing bells virtually or over the the school sound system. This is an opportunity to come together in one unifying action and celebrate mental health.
The Provincial Bell Ringing Ceremony this year is happening at École Carrefour-Étudiant on December 8 with a focus on Building Your Community of Support.
Elementary School Resources
Classroom Activities
- Activity – Paper Chain Instructions and Talking Points
Connecting with each other & finding opportunities to have open conversations about our feelings are so important. These are the paper chain activity instructions and talking points for class discussions while students are colouring their strips.
Paper Strips Download Here is the PDF of the paper strips.
2. Suggested Lesson Plan Positive Mental Health
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- Resource: 12 Ways to Boost Your Mental Fitness
3. Activity Activity: My Active and Healthy Lifestyle Circle
4. Activity Community Resources Activity To establish resources and supports for students within their communities and highlight how to access them.
5. Treaty Education Support: This initiative in Treaty Education was spearheaded by the Three Nations Education Group Inc. to address the recommendations in education of the Federal Government’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission and in response to the New Brunswick Department of Education and Early Childhood Development’s commitment to have Treaty Education taught throughout the curriculum.
External Resources for Consideration From Other Sources
Elementary School Activities:
- What Can I Control activity helps students visualize what is in their control and what is out of their control.
- DIY Self-Care Kit activity. Overview of the activity and includes a suggested checklist of things to include.
- Comforting Anxious Children Worry Jar activity with explanation of why putting worries in a box or jar can help calm anxious kids
- YouTube video: “Guess the Emotion” Inside Out movie activity
- Kids Help Phone “Breathing Balloon” breathing activity
- Kindness Scavenger Hunt (with PDF printable sheet)
- Using shapes to teach deep breathing
There Are Many Informative Websites Available With Lots of Great Ideas
The Everyday Mental Health Classroom Resource supports K-8 educators by offering a repository of everyday mental health practices that are easily incorporated in t the classroom. Multiple practices include: Stress Management & Coping, Identifying Emotions, Positive Motivation, Healthy Relationships, Self Awareness & Critical Thinking.
Middle School Resources
Classroom Activities
Connecting with each other & finding opportunities to have open conversations about our feelings are so important. These are the paper chain activity instructions and talking points for class discussions while students are colouring their strips.
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- Paper Strips Download Here is the PDF of the strips if you need to print some extras for your school.
3. Lesson Plan 6-8 (Managing Stress)
4. Community Resources Activity To establish resources and supports for students within their communities and highlight how to access them.
5. Treaty Education Support: This initiative in Treaty Education was spearheaded by the Three Nations Education Group Inc. to address the recommendations in education of the Federal Government’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission and in response to the New Brunswick Department of Education and Early Childhood Development’s commitment to have Treaty Education taught throughout the curriculum.
External Resources for Consideration From Other Sources
Middle School Activity Ideas:
- DIY Self-Care Kit activity. Overview of the activity and includes a suggested checklist of things to include.
- List of 12 “kid-approved” books for middle students about mental health
There Are Many Informative Websites Available With Lots of Great Ideas
Positive motivation and perseverance
Positive motivation and perseverance skills can help students approach challenges in life with an optimistic mindset and remain hopeful even when their circumstances are difficult. Explore and practise strategies that build on students’ strengths.
Mental Health. Our mental health is an important part of our overall health and it can change from day to day. We must look after our mental health just like we do with our physical health. Here you will find information, self-checks, tips, apps & tools, resources and stories from other young people.