York Region Public Health invites kids to be the “I” in kind this Mental Health Week

This year’s theme for Mental Health Week (May 6 to 12, 2024) is “A call to be kind.” It’s a reminder we can all be compassionate, and when we do, we make a difference. 

Parents and caregivers are in a great position to role model positive thinking and teach kids how to be kind and compassionate. Show kids how they can be the “I” in kind by doing something small that may be something big for someone else. You can encourage kids to:

• B - Buy a meal for someone in need  
• E - Express a smile to someone who is sad
• K - Keep it simple, be respectful and say thank you
• I - Introduce yourself to a new student at school
• N - Notice a positive quality about a friend and give them a compliment
• D - Donate gently used clothing items, books, or toys you no longer play with

In addition to being kind, talk to kids about gratitude and empathy. Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of others. Empathy allows us to respond with compassion by putting ourselves in another person’s shoes. Taking the time to understand someone else’s perspective teaches us to be open-minded to the feelings and viewpoints of others. 

Gratitude is a feeling of happiness that comes from being grateful for someone or something in your life. It allows us to view the world through a positive lens and respond with kindness, warmth and appreciation. Gratitude has a positive effect on mental health and well-being. 

When you share or express gratitude to other people, it benefits them, but it also benefits you! 

When children and teens practice empathy and gratitude, they develop awareness and listening skills, learn the value of being selfless and helping others, foster positive relationships with others and strengthen existing ones, and improve their physical and mental health, and well-being. 

Celebrate Mental Health Week by being the “I” in kind and feel good about the difference you make! 

For more information on mental health for children and teens, visit york.ca/HealthySchools