Reading can challenge the way you think and it can create strong emotional responses. What can you do when this happens? Where can you get help or support?

Before, during and after reading

• find out more about the book from a Teacher-Librarian, or ask friends if they have read it and what their reaction was to it

• talk to the Teacher-Librarian, or a teacher or guidance counsellor who you are comfortable with, if you are reading something that you find upsetting or confusing

• talk to your parents or other trusted adult

• talk to your friends

• find out more about the author; learn about their perspective, life experiences, opinions

• do some research about the topic that you are finding challenging

Fiction that explores our world realistically can sometimes be challenging to read, just as our world can sometimes be difficult to live in. The power of reading fiction is that it takes us out of ourselves and into new places, new lives, new understandings of the world. This helps us to develop empathy for, and understanding of, other people, other lives, other realities, which is turn leads us to a deeper understanding of ourselves, our own lives and our own reality. So read the hard stuff, the challenging stuff! But take care of yourself while you do so.

At the beginning of her novel Gutter Child author Jael Richardson writes: "This book is a work of fiction that explores a perilous world rooted in injustice. As in life, the effects of injustice impact many characters. Take care with your heart and your mind as you read. Pause and rest as required. These are difficult times."

If you are feeling traumatized or triggered by something you have read (book, news, social media, etc.) or seen (movie, documentary, etc.) there are professionals who can help

At your school

• your guidance counsellor

• your school youth worker

In your community

Community Mental Health Services available to all SCDSB students and families

• If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health or substance use emergency, call 9-1-1 or go to the emergency room of your local hospital.

• Urgent Services:

  • Simcoe County Mental Health Crisis Line - 1-888-893-8333

  • Community Crisis Response Service (for South Simcoe) 1-855-310-COPE (2673)

  • Kids Help Phone - 1-800-668-6868 or text CONNECT to 686868

  • Telecare Distress Line for Simcoe County - 705-726-7922

• Non-Urgent Services:

  • New Path Youth and Family Services - 705-725-7656 or 1-866-566-7656 to initiate service. A counsellor will call back to book an appointment by telephone.

  • Ontario 2-1-1 is a listing of services in communities.

• Services for Indigenous students/families (non-urgent):

  • Hope for Wellness Hotline/ Online Chat counseling service 24hrs/7days week. 1-855-242-3310 OR www.hopeforwellness.ca link to connect with counsellor

  • Mamaway Wiidokdaadwin at https://banac.on.ca/mamaway/ Barrie:705-721-9554; Orillia: 705-259-9520

  • Enaahtig Healing Lodge Midland/Orillia intakecoordinator@enaahtig.ca

  • Barrie Native Friendship Centre - (705) 721-7689

• Services for Black Students/Families:

  • Black Youth Helpline: 30 years ago, Black Youth Helpline resulted from a project led by students in a school in Winnipeg, Manitoba (See our story: https://blackyouth.ca/about/#our-story).

Contact numbers: 416-285-9944 and Toll Free: 1-833-294-8650 (Time: 9 a.m .-10 p.m. EST, 7 days/week)

Email: Info@blackyouth.ca

• UPlift Black https://upliftblack.org/

• Services for Muslim Students:

  • Naseeha - 7 days a week we answer calls from around the world from Muslim and non-muslims. Naseeha Mental Health has been a great bridge for individuals who are going through life’s challenges. Where hope is lost, Naseeha is found. We provide a safe zone for youths and individuals to talk and get the help they need. We provide workshops to youth across North America, web therapy sessions, and offer texting mental health support 7 days a week.

https://naseeha.org/

• Other:

• Canadian Mental Health Association – Call (705) 726-5033 and request a referral to the youth addictions or youth case management program. You will be put in touch with someone from the youth service to complete an intake to determine the best program for you.

• Barrie Family Health Team – Find out if your family doctor is part of the Barrie Family Health Team and if they are, you can request a referral to a therapist through your doctor or nurse practitioner.

• Catholic Family Services – Call in to (705) 726-6503 and leave a message and a counsellor will call back to offer a session through their phone/virtual counselling program

• https://scdsb.on.ca/covid-19/mental_health_and_well-being_resources (there is a form parent/guardian can fill out requesting mental health support, plus kids’ help phone & other resources - maybe link to this from TL shared website? Not sure how many people are aware of this)