Mental Health Awareness Week & 13 Reasons Why - Resources for Parents
This week is Mental Health Week (with "Hats on for Mental Health" today). We have been recognizing this with information we are sharing on our Facebook page and Twitter accounts.
Suicide is an important part of the conversation about mental health with older kids. As you may have heard in recent media reports, the Netflix series "
13 Reasons Why
" is causing some controversy. The series explores a teenage girl's suicide and was intended to address a very difficult topic, however, the show is a cause of concern for many mental health professionals.
Shows like "
13 Reason Why"
connect with young people because they see themselves and their classmates in those stories. This can be a good thing: it offers a real opportunity for youth to process the pressures of adolescence and consequences of certain choices. It also presents real risk.
Research shows that exposure to suicide or to graphic accounts of death are triggers for suicidal thoughts and attempts among youth struggling with mental health disorders.
It is important to remember that, unlike exposure to dramatized violence or self-harm,
asking someone if they are contemplating suicide does
not
put them at increased risk of suicide.
Quite the opposite; it gives us the opportunity to offer hope.
Please take a look at these two bulletins in response to the show for further information, as well as guidelines for responding to young people who watch it:
Dr. Karen MacMillan,
Co-Executive Director
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Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) is a formal mental health condition that has a prevalence rate of 5-6%. Yet, because of lack of knowledge and awareness of DCD, this condition is frequently overlooked or misdiagnosed by doctors, psychologists and other mental health professionals. Learn why it is important to know about this diagnosis and how to look for the ‘signs’ of this condition when working with school-aged children. Presenter: Dr. Paulene Kamps
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June 2 - 4, 2017
Ever wish that you could go to Camp Amicus? Now is your chance! Get ready for the whole family to join in fun camp activities at Camp Amicus in Nordegg, AB for one special weekend.
There will be games, rock climbing, canoeing, polar bear dip (for those who wish), campfire, braid sashes for holding badges of accomplishment and all the great things about Camp Amicus in one jam-packed weekend!
Additionally, this weekend will also include small group sessions focusing on the unique roles family members play within the family – the child with LD/ADHD diagnosis; the sibling or the parent/ step-parent/guardian. All parent programs and some sibling and camper programs will be led by Registered Provisional Psychologists (who are supervised by a Registered Psychologist). Learn More
To get started, download our intake form.
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Don't Delay! Camps are filling quickly!
While Camp Amicus overnight camps are now completely filled, we do have spaces still available in our Day Camps and our new teen leadership camp POLARIS. Click on the images below to find out more details about each of our camp options.
For new campers, an intake process must take place before registration. To learn more about our intake process, click here.
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Support Foothills Academy at the Calgary Marathon
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Foothills Academy Society is raising funds through the Scotiabank Calgary Marathon Charity Challenge. All funds will be directed to the Bursary Fund to help us keep all our programs accessible to all families. You can make a difference in the life of a child with Learning Disabilities or ADHD by supporting us with a donation. Or, if you are planning to participate in the marathon, register to raise funds for Foothills Academy Society at the same time. If you have any questions, contact
Loretta or call 403.270.9400 ext. 208.
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Participate for a chance to win!
1. If you register for the marathon and register to raise funds for Foothills Academy Society by
May 12th
and have a minimum of $100 in pledges, you will be entered into a draw for a $100 Ultimate Dining gift card.
2. The registrant with the most numbers of pledges by
May 31st
will win a $50 Cineplex gift card and a $50 Ultimate Dining gift card.
3. For every $100 donated/pledged by
May 31st
, under
Foothills Academy Society
, your name will be entered into a draw for a $400 Fairmont gift card.
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Additional Ongoing Programs & Services
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Foothills Academy Professional Development Workshops
Did you know that Foothills Academy Society offers professional development workshops that can be booked for your school, conference or another occasion?
Our Professional Development Workshops and Training focus on strategies and programs that have been proven successful within our school. Although our focus is assisting individuals with Learning Disabilities, the ultimate goal is to assist and support staff in meeting the diverse needs of all learners. For more information, check out all the workshops that are available.
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The Right to Read Online Workshop
Developed by psychologists and specialists in reading, the Right To Read Program helps identify and support children who have reading difficulties in their earliest school years and children whose first language is not English. Even the best students may have reading weaknesses, and this program will help to pinpoint those weaknesses in underlying phonological skills and other reading readiness skills.
Our online workshop is the perfect refresher of the developmental reading continuum. Learn how to screen your students and discover which students would benefit from more reading support and in which particular areas. A manual specifically designed with activities to support these students is included along with a guide to share with parents as well. A new session will begin in Fall 2017. Check the website for dates.
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COMMUNITY RESOURCES AND LINKS
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Workshops & Educational Opportunities
CADDAC online ADHD webinars
Topics include Emotional Regulation and the use of the ABC Chart, ADHD in the home, Parenting and Behavioural Strategies
and more. Webinars are $10 each or free with a CADDAC membership.
Information Resource Links
Support Groups
- ADDults Calgary Support Group: A Support group for adults in Calgary with ADHD and/or their spouses. Meets the last Wednesday of the month (excl. July & August)
- CHADD Calgary: Free Parent & Adult Support Meetings - First Wednesday of the month at (Alberta Children's Hospital, 4th Flr, 7-9 pm)
- Cochrane Parent Support Group - FOCUS for Attention
- ADHD Links Calgary - Jamie Gelfand (ggelfand@shaw.ca or 403-253-2988) or Katie McCumm (kmccunn@shaw.ca or 403-278-5182)
- FOCUS for Attention: May 9 and June 13 from 7 - 9 pm Free support group offered through North Central Family Support Program held at the Huntington Hills Community Centre. Registration is required. Call 403.275-6668 ext. 232. For more information, contact Lorraine at lorraine@weconnectyou.ca.
Research Studies
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Community Services| Foothills Academy Society| 403.270.9400 | info@foothillsacademy.org | www.foothillsacademy.org
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