Academy School Mental Health
On July 9-11 the Sun Life Financial Chair in Adolescent Mental Health will be hosting the second annual Academy in School Mental Health. The three day interactive workshop will provide attendees with opportunities to learn more about teen mental health. The goal is to provide educators with an arsenal of tools, information and techniques that they can use with their students, in the classroom and feel empowered to teach their students about mental health. The Academy is hosted in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Click here for more information.
Check it out - So Very, Very cool!
Adobe Youth Voices is the signature philanthropic effort of the Adobe Foundation intended to empower youth and educators through media making experiences that promote social change. The Adobe Youth Voices Aspire Awards celebrates the extraordinary work of young medial artists from around the world by recognizing top talent in media production. You can vote for your choice.
New Data Suggests One in Two of us Experience Mental Illness in our Life-Times
Interesting new research debunks the claim that one in four of us will experience a mental illness at some point in our life-times. It's worse than that...
Mister Rogers Remixed
Garden of Your Mind - A trip down memory lane like you've never heard before! Awesome!
A Warning to Teenagers Before They Start Dating
Over a decade ago we learned it was young people (age 16-24) that endured the highest rates of dating violences which catapulted a variety of programs in an effort to decrease the disastrous rates at which young people were experiencing intimate partner violence. Ten years later it appears little has changed.
Now Available: Evergreen Framework: A Child and Youth Mental Health Strategy
The Evergreen Framework serves as a complement to the Mental Health Strategy for Canada. Authored by the Mental Health Commission of Canada and The Sun Life Financial Chair in Adolescent Mental Health, the Framework is a resource for government, institutions and organizations to help develop child and youth mental health initiatives. It can also be used by young people, parents, professionals and others to assist in their choices and priorities regarding child and youth mental health policies, plans, programs and services.
Not all Teasing is Bad
You can call some teasing starter bullying, or even bullying outright. The teasers may laugh, or even mean very little by it, but the teased don't always see it that way. Research shows that while teasers describe the interactions as lighthearted and fun, those teased often described the same situation as malicious and annoying.
Something somewhere is waiting to be known...
Monday, June 11, 2012
Monday, June 4, 2012
The Agony of the Closeted Teenager
Being supportive of LGBTQ students is a matter of life an death. The Ontario Liberals' proposed amendment to the Education Act, the Accepting Schools Act. A personal story
Hear This!
A 12 year old and 8 year old cover Robyn/Erato 'Call Your Girlfriend' - Introducing Lennon and Maisy Stella along with their margarine container!
How Many Gay People Are There?
What percentage of the population do you think is gay? Survey shows a shocking high fraction think a quarter of the country is gay or lesbian, when the reality is that it's probably less than 2 percent. Read Atlantic article.
Drinking, Drugs, Smoking Drop Among Teens
Survey shows dropping rates in drinking, drug use and smoking amount Canadian teens. For instance, the percentage of teens who have tried smoking cigarettes dropped to 15.5 in 2010-2011, the lowest rate since monitoring of teen smoking began.
Is Texting Ruining The Art of Conversation?
Statistics from the Pew project show many people with cell phones prefer texting over a phone call. It's not always young people, though the data indicate that the younger you are, the more likely you are to prefer texting.
Study: Early Substance Use Linked to Lower Educational Achievement
Studying male twins who served in the military during the Vietnam researchers found that those who began drinking or using drugs as young teens or who became dependent on alcohol, nicotine or marijuana, were less likely to finish college than those who didn't use alcohol or drugs until later in life and never became dependent.
Our Dreams Matter Too
On June 11, 2012 encourage children, youth, families, schools, and organizations in your area to write letters to your MP and the Prime Minister supporting culturally based equity for First Nations children and organize a walk to a mail box in your community. Give First Nations children the same chance to grow up safely at home, get a good education, be healthy and proud of their cultures. Learn More!
Canada Can Do More to Protect its Children From Poverty, New UNICEF Report.
A new report released by UNICEF last Wednesday comparing child poverty in 35 industrialized countries reveals Canada could do more to protect its children.
A Girl and Her Room
Portraits of teenage girls's bedrooms, from American mansions to Middle Eastern refugee camps.
Being supportive of LGBTQ students is a matter of life an death. The Ontario Liberals' proposed amendment to the Education Act, the Accepting Schools Act. A personal story
Hear This!
A 12 year old and 8 year old cover Robyn/Erato 'Call Your Girlfriend' - Introducing Lennon and Maisy Stella along with their margarine container!
How Many Gay People Are There?
What percentage of the population do you think is gay? Survey shows a shocking high fraction think a quarter of the country is gay or lesbian, when the reality is that it's probably less than 2 percent. Read Atlantic article.
Drinking, Drugs, Smoking Drop Among Teens
Survey shows dropping rates in drinking, drug use and smoking amount Canadian teens. For instance, the percentage of teens who have tried smoking cigarettes dropped to 15.5 in 2010-2011, the lowest rate since monitoring of teen smoking began.
Is Texting Ruining The Art of Conversation?
Statistics from the Pew project show many people with cell phones prefer texting over a phone call. It's not always young people, though the data indicate that the younger you are, the more likely you are to prefer texting.
Study: Early Substance Use Linked to Lower Educational Achievement
Studying male twins who served in the military during the Vietnam researchers found that those who began drinking or using drugs as young teens or who became dependent on alcohol, nicotine or marijuana, were less likely to finish college than those who didn't use alcohol or drugs until later in life and never became dependent.
Our Dreams Matter Too
On June 11, 2012 encourage children, youth, families, schools, and organizations in your area to write letters to your MP and the Prime Minister supporting culturally based equity for First Nations children and organize a walk to a mail box in your community. Give First Nations children the same chance to grow up safely at home, get a good education, be healthy and proud of their cultures. Learn More!
Canada Can Do More to Protect its Children From Poverty, New UNICEF Report.
A new report released by UNICEF last Wednesday comparing child poverty in 35 industrialized countries reveals Canada could do more to protect its children.
A Girl and Her Room
Portraits of teenage girls's bedrooms, from American mansions to Middle Eastern refugee camps.
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
Casseroles "Pots and Pans" Montreal Protest Video
This poetic black and white video shows protesters of all ages taking to the streets in Montreal to protest Emergency Bill 78. Politics aside, it's very cool. It's the stunning video that everyone is talking about - very cool.
Are Caesarean Sections Contributing to Childhood Obesity?
In a study published in the journal Archives of Disease in Childhood, researchers found that babies born by caesarean section were more than twice as likely to be obese by age 3 as those born vaginally.
13% of Canadian Youth Unemployed: StatsCan
Statistics Canada analyzed the working and educational paths of people aged 15 to 29 in a bid to assess youth engagement with the labour force. The study found that 13% of the 6.8 million Canadians in the age bracket were not in education, employment or training - a measurement knows as NEET. What is NEET?
War on Child Obesity: Out of the Cafeteria and Onto the Playground
Canadian children are suffering an epidemic of inactivity that contributes to rising obesity rates and weaker academic performance. One in four Canadian Children is overweight or obese, and just 7% get the recommended 60 minutes a day of exercise, according to Statistics Canada. Recommended from the Globe.
MP Pushes for Children and Youth in Care Day in Ontario
Windsor West MPP Teresa Piruzza announced Friday the tabling of a private members bill to proclaim May 14th Children and Youth in Care Day in Ontario. The bill draws from a report created by youth in care - those living in group homes, foster homes and shelters, -- who recently shared their experiences and struggles with the Ontario Legislature. For more:
Teen Solves Newton's 300-year-old Riddle
A 16-year-old schoolboy has solved a mathematical problem which has stumped mathematicians for centuries, a newspaper report said. The boy put the historical breakthrough down to "schoolboy naivety."
Teen Share Bullying Tales in Video Booth
For a week in the spring of 2012, CBC-TV's Connect with Mark Kelley set up a video booth in a school in Gatineau, Que. More than 150 students streamed into the booth to pour out their personal anecdotes about bullying.
Buzz Kill
Long-term risks exist for youth seeking the jolt of energy drinks. Energy drinks, according to an article in the Journal of American Medical Association or JAMA, constituted a $5.4 billion market in 2006. See article:
Dog and Baby
Just chilling with my best friend! Watch video.
This poetic black and white video shows protesters of all ages taking to the streets in Montreal to protest Emergency Bill 78. Politics aside, it's very cool. It's the stunning video that everyone is talking about - very cool.
Are Caesarean Sections Contributing to Childhood Obesity?
In a study published in the journal Archives of Disease in Childhood, researchers found that babies born by caesarean section were more than twice as likely to be obese by age 3 as those born vaginally.
13% of Canadian Youth Unemployed: StatsCan
Statistics Canada analyzed the working and educational paths of people aged 15 to 29 in a bid to assess youth engagement with the labour force. The study found that 13% of the 6.8 million Canadians in the age bracket were not in education, employment or training - a measurement knows as NEET. What is NEET?
War on Child Obesity: Out of the Cafeteria and Onto the Playground
Canadian children are suffering an epidemic of inactivity that contributes to rising obesity rates and weaker academic performance. One in four Canadian Children is overweight or obese, and just 7% get the recommended 60 minutes a day of exercise, according to Statistics Canada. Recommended from the Globe.
MP Pushes for Children and Youth in Care Day in Ontario
Windsor West MPP Teresa Piruzza announced Friday the tabling of a private members bill to proclaim May 14th Children and Youth in Care Day in Ontario. The bill draws from a report created by youth in care - those living in group homes, foster homes and shelters, -- who recently shared their experiences and struggles with the Ontario Legislature. For more:
Teen Solves Newton's 300-year-old Riddle
A 16-year-old schoolboy has solved a mathematical problem which has stumped mathematicians for centuries, a newspaper report said. The boy put the historical breakthrough down to "schoolboy naivety."
Teen Share Bullying Tales in Video Booth
For a week in the spring of 2012, CBC-TV's Connect with Mark Kelley set up a video booth in a school in Gatineau, Que. More than 150 students streamed into the booth to pour out their personal anecdotes about bullying.
Buzz Kill
Long-term risks exist for youth seeking the jolt of energy drinks. Energy drinks, according to an article in the Journal of American Medical Association or JAMA, constituted a $5.4 billion market in 2006. See article:
Dog and Baby
Just chilling with my best friend! Watch video.
Monday, May 21, 2012
12 Year Old Canadian Hits Lecture Circuit
12 year old Victoria Grant explains Canada, and most of the world, is in debt. This is on April 27th, 2012 at the Public Banking in America Conference, Philadelphia, PA.
Young 'soul mates' Battle Cancer Together
Addison Kleinhans, 7, and Bella Hicks, 5 were both diagnosed with cancer one day apart. They were complete strangers, but now they consider each other soul mates. Very touching article and video.
Coldplay: Poignant and Very Beautiful
"When you get what you want, but not what you need - When you feel so tired, but you can't sleep - Stuck in reverse..." From an 83 year old.
Young People Lacking Resilience Because They Fail to Take Risks
Jan Owen, the CEO of the Foundation for Young Australians on resiliency. It's an important opinion piece for anyone working with and for youth, and trying to understand the myriad of influences and challenges they face.
Next Teen Tycoon Online Video Competition
15 year old Jason Li wins the Next Teen Tycoon online video competition - VerticalResponse's a nationwide search for America's teen business stars. This is a great site )come on Canada, we can do better). We like Jason's project but we also liked Jack's (second place) tee shirts. See videos.
Creation of a National Children's Commissioner...in Australia
The Australian Government has announced the creation of a National Children's Commissioner within the Australian Human Rights Commission. The new commissioner will focus on promoting the rights, wellbeing and development of children's and young people.
Ontario Students Face Long Waits for Mental Health Help, Warns New Report.
Ontario students with mental and emotional troubles wait an average of sevens days to see a campus counsellor - and some wait months, warns a new report that calls for more front-line help to tackle what has been hailed as a mental health crisis in Canada's ivory tower. For more:
Hiccups
A baby hiccups and his bro laughs.
12 year old Victoria Grant explains Canada, and most of the world, is in debt. This is on April 27th, 2012 at the Public Banking in America Conference, Philadelphia, PA.
Young 'soul mates' Battle Cancer Together
Addison Kleinhans, 7, and Bella Hicks, 5 were both diagnosed with cancer one day apart. They were complete strangers, but now they consider each other soul mates. Very touching article and video.
Coldplay: Poignant and Very Beautiful
"When you get what you want, but not what you need - When you feel so tired, but you can't sleep - Stuck in reverse..." From an 83 year old.
Young People Lacking Resilience Because They Fail to Take Risks
Jan Owen, the CEO of the Foundation for Young Australians on resiliency. It's an important opinion piece for anyone working with and for youth, and trying to understand the myriad of influences and challenges they face.
Next Teen Tycoon Online Video Competition
15 year old Jason Li wins the Next Teen Tycoon online video competition - VerticalResponse's a nationwide search for America's teen business stars. This is a great site )come on Canada, we can do better). We like Jason's project but we also liked Jack's (second place) tee shirts. See videos.
Creation of a National Children's Commissioner...in Australia
The Australian Government has announced the creation of a National Children's Commissioner within the Australian Human Rights Commission. The new commissioner will focus on promoting the rights, wellbeing and development of children's and young people.
Ontario Students Face Long Waits for Mental Health Help, Warns New Report.
Ontario students with mental and emotional troubles wait an average of sevens days to see a campus counsellor - and some wait months, warns a new report that calls for more front-line help to tackle what has been hailed as a mental health crisis in Canada's ivory tower. For more:
Hiccups
A baby hiccups and his bro laughs.
Monday, May 14, 2012
Supreme Court to Hear Facebook Cyberbullying Case
A teenage girl who says she was a victim of Facebook cyberbullying will have her case heard in Canada's top court on May 17th where she'll try to keep her name out of the public eye once and for all. Read more.
Sound Familiar - A Children's Commissioner for Canada
Canadian kids need a voice, according to Liberal MP Marc Garneau. Garneau's new private member's bill, tabled last Thursday in the House of Commons, aims to give them one by creating a federal commissioner for children and young persons. For More.
Researchers Using Data to Predict Bad Teenage Behaviour
Imagine a world in which parents could predict, with relative accuracy, whether their teens were going to get drunk off hand sanitizer, or choke themselves out for the high, before it actually happened - then take action to change the future. Read more:
Kids Today vs. Kids in 1982: What a Difference a Generation Makes
It's good to be a kid these days. Or rather, it's better to be a teenager now than it was 30 years ago. That's the essential argument made in this awesome info graphic:
Kids Most Likely to Start Abusing Painkillers at 16
Many experts consider "extra medical" painkiller abuse -- taking pain drugs such as OxyContin (oxycodone) and Vicodin (hydrocodone) to get high rather than to relieve extreme pain --the most serious drug challenge. Some kids had already misused these drugs by age 13 or 14, or eighth grade. Read this new report.
Seven Minute TED talk: A Teen Just Trying to Figure it Out
Fifteen-year old Tavi Gevinson had a hard time finding strong female teenage role models -- so she built a space where they could find each other. Check it out.
New Report: Canada Job Market Exhibits Enormous Disparities
Canada's youth are still struggling with a recession, even as the country's job picture is improving, says a new study.
My Dad Was Just a Barber (A Moment of Truth)
A son's memory of the greatest lesson learned from his father -- that whatever a person used to be has nothing to do with what they can become. View here.
A teenage girl who says she was a victim of Facebook cyberbullying will have her case heard in Canada's top court on May 17th where she'll try to keep her name out of the public eye once and for all. Read more.
Sound Familiar - A Children's Commissioner for Canada
Canadian kids need a voice, according to Liberal MP Marc Garneau. Garneau's new private member's bill, tabled last Thursday in the House of Commons, aims to give them one by creating a federal commissioner for children and young persons. For More.
Researchers Using Data to Predict Bad Teenage Behaviour
Imagine a world in which parents could predict, with relative accuracy, whether their teens were going to get drunk off hand sanitizer, or choke themselves out for the high, before it actually happened - then take action to change the future. Read more:
Kids Today vs. Kids in 1982: What a Difference a Generation Makes
It's good to be a kid these days. Or rather, it's better to be a teenager now than it was 30 years ago. That's the essential argument made in this awesome info graphic:
Kids Most Likely to Start Abusing Painkillers at 16
Many experts consider "extra medical" painkiller abuse -- taking pain drugs such as OxyContin (oxycodone) and Vicodin (hydrocodone) to get high rather than to relieve extreme pain --the most serious drug challenge. Some kids had already misused these drugs by age 13 or 14, or eighth grade. Read this new report.
Seven Minute TED talk: A Teen Just Trying to Figure it Out
Fifteen-year old Tavi Gevinson had a hard time finding strong female teenage role models -- so she built a space where they could find each other. Check it out.
New Report: Canada Job Market Exhibits Enormous Disparities
Canada's youth are still struggling with a recession, even as the country's job picture is improving, says a new study.
My Dad Was Just a Barber (A Moment of Truth)
A son's memory of the greatest lesson learned from his father -- that whatever a person used to be has nothing to do with what they can become. View here.
Monday, May 7, 2012
University of Ottawa: My Health Magazine
My Health Magazine is a health and wellness program delivered through a series of interactive, online resources for young people (students.myhealthmagazine.net), educators (teachers.myhealthmagazine.net), and college students (college.myhealthmagazine.net). It's an excellent resource - check out the extensive information relating to the UN Convention. Congrats to Dr. Darcy Santor.
The Cost of Mental Illness To Canadians: 6 Facts
A new national mental health strategy for Canada will be released this week. Here's a look at the mental health issue by the numbers.
The Aquarium by Aleksandar Hemon
A child's isolating illness. A beautiful article from the New Yorker.
Now Here's a Brilliant Solution to the Problem!!!
Mom sends son to school with stun gun to confront bullies. Read article:
First Grader Suspended for Sexual Harassment After Reciting Line from LMFAO Song.
Forms from the school indicate the first grader was suspended for sexual harassment, which the school district's discipline code says has "negative effects on the learning or work of others." Read Article.
Feds Face Legal Fight Over Cutting Katimavik
An Ontario woman is hoping to launch a class-action lawsuit against the federal government for pulling funding from the Trudeau-era youth program Katimavik. Full Article Here.
See Zac Run
Zack loves dinosaurs but until now he has never seen one bigger than himself.
School Banning Cupcakes
At a time when school communities are forced to increase fundraising efforts amid tighter budgets, one hugely popular method of raising money for the basketball team or math club is at a crossroads - with the national fight against childhood obesity.
My Health Magazine is a health and wellness program delivered through a series of interactive, online resources for young people (students.myhealthmagazine.net), educators (teachers.myhealthmagazine.net), and college students (college.myhealthmagazine.net). It's an excellent resource - check out the extensive information relating to the UN Convention. Congrats to Dr. Darcy Santor.
The Cost of Mental Illness To Canadians: 6 Facts
A new national mental health strategy for Canada will be released this week. Here's a look at the mental health issue by the numbers.
The Aquarium by Aleksandar Hemon
A child's isolating illness. A beautiful article from the New Yorker.
Now Here's a Brilliant Solution to the Problem!!!
Mom sends son to school with stun gun to confront bullies. Read article:
First Grader Suspended for Sexual Harassment After Reciting Line from LMFAO Song.
Forms from the school indicate the first grader was suspended for sexual harassment, which the school district's discipline code says has "negative effects on the learning or work of others." Read Article.
Feds Face Legal Fight Over Cutting Katimavik
An Ontario woman is hoping to launch a class-action lawsuit against the federal government for pulling funding from the Trudeau-era youth program Katimavik. Full Article Here.
See Zac Run
Zack loves dinosaurs but until now he has never seen one bigger than himself.
School Banning Cupcakes
At a time when school communities are forced to increase fundraising efforts amid tighter budgets, one hugely popular method of raising money for the basketball team or math club is at a crossroads - with the national fight against childhood obesity.
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
Spanking Court Case Sparks Call for More Education
A spanking court case in Fredericton earlier this week has a child advocacy group calling for more education on alternatives to corporal punishment.
Gay Youth 'Safe Houses' Remain 'Hidden' in California
Journalist, Reporter, and Writer Tomas Mournian was commissioned by George Michael to make this video about homeless gay youth living in 'UnderGround Railroad'. Not a nice video to watch.
Bohemian Rhapsody on the Way to School
It has become a morning habit to sing Bohemian Rhapsody on the way to school in the morning. The kid in the car seat knows the words. Brilliant - Great Dad!
Homophobic? Maybe You're Gay
WHY are political and religious figures who campaign against gay rights so often implicated in sexual encounters with same-sex partners? New York Times.
Children Exposed to Hours of Background TV Daily
American children are being exposed to background TV for nearly four hours every day, new research finds. For the study, researchers surveyed over 1 400 English-speaking households with children ranging in age from 8 months to 8 years old. Read more:
Piano Man
Ethan, a six year old on the autism spectrum plays and sings a Billy Joel favourite. You have to love his casual, ham-handed, sloppy way of playing; yet it's perfect.
For Teenage Girls, Facebook Means Always Being Camera-Ready
Creating a persona via Facebook is nothing new. By carefully selecting their own profile pictures, making public comments, and curating the photos they post, younger teenagers have become quite adept at managing their image. The formula is simple: The more "Likes" you get, the more popular you appear.
Canadian Kids Get Less Physical Activity Than Parents Believe
Children aren't getting enough physical activity and move even less than their parents believe, a new report releases April 20 suggests. Statistics Canada researchers measured the physical activity levels of children and recorded the times and days of the week the youngsters were sedentary.
Teen Sues Over Facebook Bullying
Fourteen-year-old Alex Boston and her parents are filing suit against two classmates and their parents for libel after the two classmates allegedly created a fake Facebook account in her name, using a photo of her they distorted.
A spanking court case in Fredericton earlier this week has a child advocacy group calling for more education on alternatives to corporal punishment.
Gay Youth 'Safe Houses' Remain 'Hidden' in California
Journalist, Reporter, and Writer Tomas Mournian was commissioned by George Michael to make this video about homeless gay youth living in 'UnderGround Railroad'. Not a nice video to watch.
Bohemian Rhapsody on the Way to School
It has become a morning habit to sing Bohemian Rhapsody on the way to school in the morning. The kid in the car seat knows the words. Brilliant - Great Dad!
Homophobic? Maybe You're Gay
WHY are political and religious figures who campaign against gay rights so often implicated in sexual encounters with same-sex partners? New York Times.
Children Exposed to Hours of Background TV Daily
American children are being exposed to background TV for nearly four hours every day, new research finds. For the study, researchers surveyed over 1 400 English-speaking households with children ranging in age from 8 months to 8 years old. Read more:
Piano Man
Ethan, a six year old on the autism spectrum plays and sings a Billy Joel favourite. You have to love his casual, ham-handed, sloppy way of playing; yet it's perfect.
For Teenage Girls, Facebook Means Always Being Camera-Ready
Creating a persona via Facebook is nothing new. By carefully selecting their own profile pictures, making public comments, and curating the photos they post, younger teenagers have become quite adept at managing their image. The formula is simple: The more "Likes" you get, the more popular you appear.
Canadian Kids Get Less Physical Activity Than Parents Believe
Children aren't getting enough physical activity and move even less than their parents believe, a new report releases April 20 suggests. Statistics Canada researchers measured the physical activity levels of children and recorded the times and days of the week the youngsters were sedentary.
Teen Sues Over Facebook Bullying
Fourteen-year-old Alex Boston and her parents are filing suit against two classmates and their parents for libel after the two classmates allegedly created a fake Facebook account in her name, using a photo of her they distorted.
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