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Healthy Eating

Educating young people about healthy eating is important to help them develop skills and knowledge to make healthier choices.

Resources & Information for:

Resources

Lessons and Activities

  • School gardens teach children about where food comes from with school gardens can increase their awareness of the link between the food system, health, and sustainability. The resources in this section can help students learn more about the food system and how food is grown, including skill-building opportunities with potential links to other aspects of the curriculum (e.g., science, math).
  • Region on Waterloo- School Food Gardens Start-up Guide: A guide to installing and enhancing learning opportunities.
  • Growing Minds and Farm to School- Steps to a Classroom Garden: Ten points/tips to consider around planning a garden.
  • Juice Plus+- Tower Gardens: A vertical growing system that allows vegetables, herbs, and flowers in small spaces either indoors or outdoors. Included are lesson plans and learning materials.
  • Southwestern Ontario Gleaners: Students consider volunteering (those 14 years and older and with access to the Leamington facility) during the summer break to support making dehydrated soup and fruit mixes for international distribution. A great way to get community hours, support food relief efforts, and understand the issue of food waste in our communities.
  • Mindful Eating- Headspace blue tool: An online platform that supports access to information, related to mindfulness and coaching around various topics to improve health. The Headspace mindful eating section offers various activities and information.

School Campaigns and Social Media

  • BrightBites (French): This non-profit project that breaks the challenge of improving school nutrition down into fun, easy badges. Entire schools (elementary and secondary) or individual classes/groups can sign up as teams and boost student well-being. Students can design campaigns to promote water consumption, plan healthier fundraisers, change school policies to support healthy eating in schools, and much more!
    • Water Works (French): This promotes water, especially in place of sugar-sweetened beverages. It can help prevent dental cavities, promote overall health, and help students and staff feel better throughout the day. Provided are tools and activities to support getting started.
  • Ontario Student Nutrition Program- Southwest- Great Big Crunch: Celebrated locally in October with interactive events. Typically, it is a chance to celebrate local farmers, the fall harvest, and a new school year.
  • When discussing nutrition and food, it is important to recognize that many factors influence the foods students bring to school. Some families do not have access to all types of foods or even enough food at home. Avoid commenting on the types and amounts of food brought from home. Instead, focus on how you can explore food in positive ways and expose students to a variety of food in the school environment.
  • Ontario, Ministry of Education- School Food and Beverage Policy (PPM 150): School boards must ensure that all food and beverages sold on school premises for school purposes meet specific requirements, including nutrition standards. The nutrition standards apply to all food and beverages sold on school property (e.g., cafeterias, vending machines, tuck shops), and through all programs and events such as catered lunch programs, bake sales, and sporting events. The purpose of the policy is to promote healthy food environments in schools by increasing access to healthy foods. Contact your school’s Public Health Nurse for questions about the policy.
  • School Wellness Bulletin Boards: Use this space to support the Dietitians of Canada’s, National Nutrition Month annual campaign which is in March. Its slogan is Unlock the Potential of Food. Available in French.
  • MLHU & SWPH- 10 Ways to Improve the School Food Environment (French): A resource that aims to make it easier for students to eat well and help them develop a positive relationship with food. 

Resources in the community

Other Supports and Resources

School Grants

Resources in the community

Other Supports and Resources

School Grants

  • School gardens teach children about where food comes from with school gardens can increase their awareness of the link between the food system, health, and sustainability. The resources in this section can help students learn more about the food system and how food is grown, including skill-building opportunities with potential links to other aspects of the curriculum (e.g., science, math).
  • Region on Waterloo- School Food Gardens Start-up Guide: A guide to installing and enhancing learning opportunities.
  • Growing Minds and Farm to School- Steps to a Classroom Garden: Ten points/tips to consider around planning a garden.
  • Juice Plus+- Tower Gardens: A vertical growing system that allows vegetables, herbs, and flowers in small spaces either indoors or outdoors. Included are lesson plans and learning materials.
  • Southwestern Ontario Gleaners: Students consider volunteering (those 14 years and older and with access to the Leamington facility) during the summer break to support making dehydrated soup and fruit mixes for international distribution. A great way to get community hours, support food relief efforts, and understand the issue of food waste in our communities.
  • Mindful Eating- Headspace blue tool: An online platform that supports access to information, related to mindfulness and coaching around various topics to improve health. The Headspace mindful eating section offers various activities and information.

School Campaigns and Social Media

  • BrightBites (French): This non-profit project that breaks the challenge of improving school nutrition down into fun, easy badges. Entire schools (elementary and secondary) or individual classes/groups can sign up as teams and boost student well-being. Students can design campaigns to promote water consumption, plan healthier fundraisers, change school policies to support healthy eating in schools, and much more!
    • Water Works (French): This promotes water, especially in place of sugar-sweetened beverages. It can help prevent dental cavities, promote overall health, and help students and staff feel better throughout the day. Provided are tools and activities to support getting started.
  • Ontario Student Nutrition Program- Southwest- Great Big Crunch: Celebrated locally in October with interactive events. Typically, it is a chance to celebrate local farmers, the fall harvest, and a new school year.

Resources in the community

Other Supports and Resources

School Grants

Mental Health

Mental health is a state of well-being where a person can realize their abilities, cope with the stresses of life, and have the ability to work productively and contribute to their community

Resources & Information for:

Empower student groups, such as student council or student wellness council, to actively participate in identifying school needs and develop activities to address those needs.

  • RNAO’s- Youth Mental Health and Addictions Champions Initiative Toolkit: Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario (RNAO) partnered with public health units, School Boards, SMH ASSIST and provincial youth based organizations to develop a peer based youth mental health initiative. The partnership resulted in the development of the toolkit to support the dissemination and implementation of evidence-based, youth-led mental health promotion and substance misuse prevention initiatives in school settings. The toolkit, includes guiding frameworks, how to build your team, youth training content, event planning, and evaluation tips.
  • Ophea Ideas for Action: Mental Health- Can be used in conjunction with the Ophea Healthy Schools Certification, or as a starting point to encourage students, to start conversations about topics related to mental health in your school and community. This guide provides key information about existing programs and resources, tips for getting started, things to consider, sources of support in your community, in Ontario, and across Canada, and activity ideas in the following areas:
  • WECHU- Wellness or Kindness Calendars:  the health unit has provided a ready-made Mental Health Wellness Calendar as part of the Healthy Schools Mental Health Toolkit. This calendar provides daily activities to make positive mental health a habit for both elementary and secondary students.  You can use this calendar in your classroom or school, or use the blank template to create your own.
  • School Mental Health Ontario- Inspirational Graffiti: Use sidewalk chalk in front of the school or in schoolyard to create messages. Ideas for themes can be found in under the Social and Physical Environment Section.

School Campaigns and Social Media

  • School Wellness Bulletin Board - Use school bulletin boards (physical/virtual) to post student mental health/wellness messages throughout the year and encourage contributions from students in form of writing, drawing, or other artistic measures. Here are some themes and ideas for the classroom:
  • School Mental Health Ontario- End of Day Activity: Stress management and coping activity from SMHO to help students focus their attention, calm feelings of anxiety, and manage stress as end of school day (can modify based on developmental level).
  • SMHO- Creating Classroom Norms: To establish norms and to identify what matters to students as a group/classroom (all ages).
  • Create a list of acts of kindness with the students. Post this list in the classroom for the month. Encourage students to use words from the list in oral and written communication work, drama, art.

Support in the Community

  • Windsor-Essex County Health Unit- Where to Get Help: a list of local services for youth in Windsor-Essex County.
  • Windsor-Essex County Youth Services Card: provides contact information to local services for youth in Windsor-Essex County.
  • Youth Wellness Hub – For youth aged 12-25 offering walk-in mental health services, substance use and addiction services, access to a Nurse Practitioner for primary care, and community social services.  The Youth Wellness Hub also offers recreational activities and peer support. Services available in Windsor and Leamington locations
  • WEConnectKids: a partnership between the five core service providers for child and youth mental health and addiction services in Windsor/Essex. It is a free, confidential mental health service for children, youth, and families who live in Windsor-Essex.
  • Mental Health and Addiction Nurse: 519-258-8211 or 1-888-447-4468- High school students can call to talk about alcohol, cannabis, opioids, or other substances. A school, hospital, or community agency can also refer online or by calling the number above.
  • Triple P Positive Parenting Program: offers information, support, and practical answers to everyday parenting concerns. Seminars and group courses are available for a number of topics.

Additional Support and Resources

  • Kids Help Phone: at 1 800 668-6868. 24 hours/7 days a week telephone or web chat service for children and youth. *Services in English and French.
  • The Parent Support Hub- provides a referral to a mental health professional for free counselling support. Parents can also connect 24/7 with trained care representatives - to get answers to questions/concerns about youth and substance use and provide direction to relevant resources.
  • School Mental Health Ontario: Parent and Caregivers Section: Provides information and resources around mental health related topics.
  • How to Support a Mentally Healthy Back to School for Your Child: Tip sheet about supporting your child at the start of a school year. It is available in English, French, Arabic, and many other languages.
  • Canadian Mental Health Association – Mental Health Resources in Schools: Learn about mental health in schools and how to find school supports for students in Ontario.
  • Children's Mental Health Ontario: is a network of child and youth mental health centres/professionals ready to help children, youth, and families with free counselling and treatment. They provide care in person, on the phone, and virtually, as well as resources on their website.
  • Strong Minds Strong Kids: is committed to promoting the mental well-being of children and youth in Canada by offering resources and information to school aged children and parents/caregivers.
  • Health811: Call 8-1-1 (TTY: 1-866-797-0007), a free, secure, confidential service Ontarians can call or access online 24 hours a day, seven days a week to receive health advice from qualified health professionals, such as registered nurses, locate local health services. Can access resources or chat live online.
  • Connex Ontario: Helps Ontarians find mental health, addiction and problem gambling services in the province. Call 1-866-531-2600 or text CONNEX to 247247

Support in the Community

  • Windsor-Essex County Health Unit- Where to Get Help: a list of local services for youth in Windsor-Essex County.
  • Windsor-Essex County Youth Services Card: provides contact information to local services for youth in Windsor-Essex County.
  • Youth Wellness Hub – For youth aged 12-25 offering walk-in mental health services, substance use and addiction services, access to a Nurse Practitioner for primary care, and community social services.  The Youth Wellness Hub also offers recreational activities and peer support. Services available in Windsor and Leamington locations
  • WEConnectKids: a partnership between the five core service providers for child and youth mental health and addiction services in Windsor/Essex. It is a free, confidential mental health service for children, youth, and families who live in Windsor-Essex.
  • Mental Health and Addiction Nurse: 519-258-8211 or 1-888-447-4468- High school students can call to talk about alcohol, cannabis, opioids, or other substances. A school, hospital, or community agency can also refer online or by calling the number above.
  • Triple P Positive Parenting Program: offers information, support, and practical answers to everyday parenting concerns. Seminars and group courses are available for a number of topics.

Additional Support and Resources

  • Kids Help Phone: at 1 800 668-6868. 24 hours/7 days a week telephone or web chat service for children and youth. *Services in English and French.
  • The Parent Support Hub- provides a referral to a mental health professional for free counselling support. Parents can also connect 24/7 with trained care representatives - to get answers to questions/concerns about youth and substance use and provide direction to relevant resources.
  • School Mental Health Ontario: Parent and Caregivers Section: Provides information and resources around mental health related topics.
  • How to Support a Mentally Healthy Back to School for Your Child: Tip sheet about supporting your child at the start of a school year. It is available in English, French, Arabic, and many other languages.
  • Canadian Mental Health Association – Mental Health Resources in Schools: Learn about mental health in schools and how to find school supports for students in Ontario.
  • Children's Mental Health Ontario: is a network of child and youth mental health centres/professionals ready to help children, youth, and families with free counselling and treatment. They provide care in person, on the phone, and virtually, as well as resources on their website.
  • Strong Minds Strong Kids: is committed to promoting the mental well-being of children and youth in Canada by offering resources and information to school aged children and parents/caregivers.
  • Health811: Call 8-1-1 (TTY: 1-866-797-0007), a free, secure, confidential service Ontarians can call or access online 24 hours a day, seven days a week to receive health advice from qualified health professionals, such as registered nurses, locate local health services. Can access resources or chat live online.
  • Connex Ontario: Helps Ontarians find mental health, addiction and problem gambling services in the province. Call 1-866-531-2600 or text CONNEX to 247247

Empower student groups, such as student council or student wellness council, to actively participate in identifying school needs and develop activities to address those needs.

  • RNAO’s- Youth Mental Health and Addictions Champions Initiative Toolkit: Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario (RNAO) partnered with public health units, School Boards, SMH ASSIST and provincial youth based organizations to develop a peer based youth mental health initiative. The partnership resulted in the development of the toolkit to support the dissemination and implementation of evidence-based, youth-led mental health promotion and substance misuse prevention initiatives in school settings. The toolkit, includes guiding frameworks, how to build your team, youth training content, event planning, and evaluation tips.
  • Ophea Ideas for Action: Mental Health- Can be used in conjunction with the Ophea Healthy Schools Certification, or as a starting point to encourage students, to start conversations about topics related to mental health in your school and community. This guide provides key information about existing programs and resources, tips for getting started, things to consider, sources of support in your community, in Ontario, and across Canada, and activity ideas in the following areas:
  • WECHU- Wellness or Kindness Calendars:  the health unit has provided a ready-made Mental Health Wellness Calendar as part of the Healthy Schools Mental Health Toolkit. This calendar provides daily activities to make positive mental health a habit for both elementary and secondary students.  You can use this calendar in your classroom or school, or use the blank template to create your own.
  • School Mental Health Ontario- Inspirational Graffiti: Use sidewalk chalk in front of the school or in schoolyard to create messages. Ideas for themes can be found in under the Social and Physical Environment Section.

School Campaigns and Social Media

Support in the Community

  • Windsor-Essex County Health Unit- Where to Get Help: a list of local services for youth in Windsor-Essex County.
  • Windsor-Essex County Youth Services Card: provides contact information to local services for youth in Windsor-Essex County.
  • Youth Wellness Hub – For youth aged 12-25 offering walk-in mental health services, substance use and addiction services, access to a Nurse Practitioner for primary care, and community social services.  The Youth Wellness Hub also offers recreational activities and peer support. Services available in Windsor and Leamington locations
  • WEConnectKids: a partnership between the five core service providers for child and youth mental health and addiction services in Windsor/Essex. It is a free, confidential mental health service for children, youth, and families who live in Windsor-Essex.
  • Mental Health and Addiction Nurse: 519-258-8211 or 1-888-447-4468- High school students can call to talk about alcohol, cannabis, opioids, or other substances. A school, hospital, or community agency can also refer online or by calling the number above.
  • Triple P Positive Parenting Program: offers information, support, and practical answers to everyday parenting concerns. Seminars and group courses are available for a number of topics.

Additional Support and Resources

  • Kids Help Phone: at 1 800 668-6868. 24 hours/7 days a week telephone or web chat service for children and youth. *Services in English and French.
  • The Parent Support Hub- provides a referral to a mental health professional for free counselling support. Parents can also connect 24/7 with trained care representatives - to get answers to questions/concerns about youth and substance use and provide direction to relevant resources.
  • School Mental Health Ontario: Parent and Caregivers Section: Provides information and resources around mental health related topics.
  • How to Support a Mentally Healthy Back to School for Your Child: Tip sheet about supporting your child at the start of a school year. It is available in English, French, Arabic, and many other languages.
  • Canadian Mental Health Association – Mental Health Resources in Schools: Learn about mental health in schools and how to find school supports for students in Ontario.
  • Children's Mental Health Ontario: is a network of child and youth mental health centres/professionals ready to help children, youth, and families with free counselling and treatment. They provide care in person, on the phone, and virtually, as well as resources on their website.
  • Strong Minds Strong Kids: is committed to promoting the mental well-being of children and youth in Canada by offering resources and information to school aged children and parents/caregivers.
  • Health811: Call 8-1-1 (TTY: 1-866-797-0007), a free, secure, confidential service Ontarians can call or access online 24 hours a day, seven days a week to receive health advice from qualified health professionals, such as registered nurses, locate local health services. Can access resources or chat live online.
  • Connex Ontario: Helps Ontarians find mental health, addiction and problem gambling services in the province. Call 1-866-531-2600 or text CONNEX to 247247