COVID-19 Supports: for Students

My Dear Students,

I'm thinking of you all, and I miss seeing your friendly faces! I know there is lots you are missing right now - like going to school and seeing your friends. However, it is important that we follow the rules right now and stay home so that we can help keep our community safe. It's natural to feel a little stressed, sad or even angry right now as we try to cope with all of these changes to our lives. Please talk about your thoughts and feelings with someone you trust, as it's important not to bottle up your emotions - get them out, you really will feel better and might even find that you are not alone in how you feel. You could also write or draw about what you're going through to help you cope, especially if you feel like you're not ready to talk about it yet.

Please help out your family around the house as much as you can, the more we can help each other at this time, the better! You could even begin each day by asking yourself: What's one kind thing I can do for a family member, friend or my community today? On top of that, think about a family member or friend you haven't talked to or checked in with for a while. Could you: Give them a phone call? Send them an email, or even do something 'the old fashioned way' such as make them a card or write them a letter?

It is very meaningful and special for others to know that you are thinking about them during these challenging times. No act of kindness is too small - in fact, it is in times like these when any and all acts of kindness have the most impact and mean the most. Plus, the more kindness you share with others the better YOU will feel, I promise.

I would LOVE to get an email from you, sharing with me how you are spreading kindness within your community and amongst your loved ones during COVID-19; keeping in mind the rules we have to follow right now for everyone's safety. My email is: htopshee@hrce.ca.

Here are some supports and resources that may be helpful to you at this time. I will continue to add new items as they become available. Please check them out and stay safe!

I'm thinking of you all, please reach out to me anytime.

Keep shining,

Ms Topshee

htopshee@hrce.ca

Coping with Anxiety - Please see the power point below that I had created for class lessons; check out slides #9-15 for some strategies in helping you manage anxiety. I will continue to post additional resources for helping you deal with anxiety during the Coronavirus as well.

For now, just take it day by day, and moment by moment. We have no way of controlling how long social distancing will last, but we can control the attitude we bring to our household and how we respond to our emotions.

It's ok to feel scared, upset and even angry sometimes because of the Coronavirus, but it's important to figure out what helps calm you down when feeling this way - A hug from a loved one? Watching a funny video? Going for a walk? Dancing? Talking about your feelings? Drawing? Spending time with a pet? Yoga? Calling a friend? Journaling? Playing a game? Deep belly breaths? A cup of hot chocolate? (with marshmallows of course! :)

Take care of yourself, reach out to others for support and know that we are all in this together!