Both music and mindfulness offer incredible therapeutic potential, and the two practices are complementary of each other. Mindful listening is a remarkable way to experience every individual detail within a piece of music; to connect with the sounds in an entirely new way!
“There is no cure for stress, because it is not a disease. Stress is a condition of life itself. It can be a constructive or destructive force, depending on how you manage it. Stress can be the spice of your life or the poison that kills you.” (Author unknown)
The growing willingness to talk about stress, mental health and work-life balance is a major and very welcome societal change. With the pressures of beginning a new and demanding career, you need to able to recognize when you need help and where to find it. Managing your mental well-being is an essential skill for new teachers.
The resources here offer strategies and suggestions for such things as balancing your personal and professional life, ensuring your personal wellness, and developing effective time management strategies. All of these will help you to see stress as “the spice of your life”. After all, stressed spelled backwards is just desserts!
The Canadian Mental Health Association states that 58% of Canadians report “overload” as a result of the pressures associated with work, home and family, friends, physical health, volunteer and community service. A quick quiz to see if you’re in balance.
A captivating video of a variety of teachers who share their insights and experiences. Learn from their hindsight.
See this OSSTF study for information on the positive and negative impacts of extracurricular involvement.
A self-care guide that provides education about depression, and utilizes a cognitive behavioural model to teach users how to change thought patterns that contribute to depression.
A resource that assists individuals who are experiencing depression due to workplace problems or individuals who are depressed and experiencing difficulty functioning at work.
A short video of an interview conducted with a Social Worker regarding the issues of mental health for teachers in the primary classroom.
Teachers break the silence and share their stories to bring teacher mental health conditions to the forefront and stop the taboo.
Understand mental health definitions, conditions and find out what supports and services are available here for individuals, families and caregivers.
You are not alone with this great site that allows you to search for mental health help, information sheets, screening tools and more.
Check out the facts, take a quiz, and surf helpful links with support available by phone, chat or email.
An overview of depression by ETFO: knowledge is power and understanding the signs, symptoms and strategies for depression is the solution.
ETFO’s depression booklet is a great start to understanding what depression is, symptoms and how to deal with it. Contains information on supporting colleagues with depression as well.