Positive mental health and wellness means having a good and healthy state of mind. Just like our bodies need care to stay strong, our minds also need attention and support. When we talk about positive mental health, we're referring to feeling good about ourselves, being able to handle challenges, and having healthy relationships with others.
Creating a family culture that supports positive mental wellness is an ongoing practice. A practice that takes time to learn and something we need to regularly return to.
Below, you will find a collection of resources, informative videos, and websites that offer guidance on how to support your family's mental wellness. These sources contain helpful information to assist you in creating an environment that nurtures emotional well-being within your family.
If you have any concerns about your own or your family's mental health, it is important to talk to your healthcare provider or a qualified mental health professional.
Resources
Seeds to Grow Your Mental Health Newsletters
The first newsletter provides parents and caregivers with tips on how to talk with their children to help them identify their emotions and feelings.
Seeds to Grow Your Mental Health Newsletter for Parents –Volume 1 - English, French, Arabic
The second newsletter provides information on skills children can utilize to navigate their emotions and behaviours.
Seeds to Grow Your Mental Health Newsletter for Parents- Volume 2 - English, French, Arabic
The third newsletter highlights skills and activities your child can use when they are feeling uncomfortable emotions.
Seeds to Grow Your Mental Health Newsletter for Parents- Volume 3 - English, French, Arabic
Videos
Promoting Positive Mental Health
This video was developed by the Canadian Paediatric Society and provides tips on how parents and caregivers can support their child’s positive mental health.
Building Your Child’s Self-Esteem
This video was developed by the Canadian Paediatric Society and provides information on how parents can help their child develop self-esteem.
Services
211 Ontario
This website connects people to the services and programs in their community as well as across Ontario.
Bounce Back Ontario
This is an online program that helps develop skills to improve your mental wellness.
Triple P Program - Fear Less
Parents learn more about anxiety and how to help their child reduce worry and develop confidence and coping skills.
Children First
Children First provides services to families with children up to the age of six who are at risk for or experiencing mental health challenges or developmental concerns.
Regional Children’s Centre
The Regional Children’s Centre is a children’s mental health centre for children and youth who are experiencing mental health and/or development concerns. This centre offers a variety of programs and services.
Maryvale
Maryvale is a Children’s Mental Health Treatment Centre that offers various programs and services to youth (aged 13 to 17) who are experiencing serious emotional, psychological and mental distress.
To learn more about local mental health services, visit our local directory.
Frequently Asked Questions
Creating a family culture that supports positive mental wellness is a practice. A practice reminds us it takes time to learn and it is something we need to regularly return to. Some activities you can include in your practice:
- Reflect on your behaviours, family customs and beliefs. For example, what’s working well? What could be improved? What needs to change?
- Develop a clear and concise sense of the type of family environment you wish to create for your family. When we are intentional about our goals, we can develop a pathway to achieve them!
- Include all family members in a discussion about family values, vision, and mission. Work to incorporate all family members suggestions where appropriate as inclusiveness helps foster a positive family culture.
- Spend quality time as a family having family meals. Cooking together as a family, enjoying meals together, and cleaning up after a meal create perfect opportunities to share and connect. This organic shared familial time fosters positive mental wellness in all members of the family. Creating rituals and traditions, such as shared meal times, plays a significant role in the positive mental wellness of each of the family members.
- Play together as a family. Laugh! Learn about each others interests and strengths. Learn to talk about what you like about your family members in front of them. This invites joyful interactions that will leave all members feeling included and accepted by the family members. This acceptance fosters positive feelings of wellness and teaches members of the family, primarily children, what healthy relationships look and feel like. Modeling the type of family you chose to create is proactive and protective in our emotional and mental wellness and relational development.
- Celebrate the milestones of family members, both big and small. This teaches us to celebrate others and be celebrated as well. When we engage in celebration we are reminded to get in touch with joy as a family.
- Engage in self-care practices. Learn about yourself, and what you need to be the best version of yourself. This is how you begin to develop a mental health tool kit, talk about this as a family (while making dinner!) Allow other family members to see you prioritizing yourself, it will invite them to do the same.
It is normal to get busy and caught up in work and the day-to-day tasks of life. A practice reminds us to bring our awareness back to the family culture we are trying to create and practice it, as practice makes progress!