Why?
mindyourmind in partnership with London District Catholic School Board (LDCSB) wanted to create a self care book to offer their students. LDCSB recognizes the important link between student mental health, well-being and student achievement. To create this book we would need the help and expertise of students who are in the LDCSB and experiencing student stress. The students we worked with came prepared with their ideas and were eager to create the best self care book for their peers and future students!
Who?
Sixteen students, at least one from every secondary school in the LDCSB district, participated over two days to create Standing Tall. The students were involved in every stage of the design process and pulled from their own high school experiences. They informed the name of the book, the self care theme and what important topics should be included.
How?
Thank you to Sandra Savage (Mental Health Lead for LDCSB) for facilitating the entire project with the mindyourmind team! And a special thank you to Abby, Alec, Bella, Caitlin, Cina, Dante, Ella, Grace, Julia, MacKenna, Mariana, Ose, Sam, Selena, Taelyn and Zoe.
We look forward to launching Standing Tall to the students of LDCSB and hope that they find the book useful for their school year!
“Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow has not yet come. We have only today. Let us begin.”
~ Mother Teresa
Tool
Standing Tall and the associated tree motif was chosen because of its symbolism. It was decided that well-being is rooted in a strong foundation of faith and community, a solid trunk of skills for living and a canopy of branches and leaves that are growing and changing.
Standing Tall is also a mandala book and bullet journal for students to personalize and colour the pages as a self care activity in itself. The book offers local mental health support, tips on how to ask for help and general tips on how to take care of yourself! Utilize the mood trackers, sleep trackers and monthly calendars throughout the school year.
