We had a wonderful time talking to students on Wednesday, November 14 during the Annual Health Forum at the Hull Adult Education Centre (HAEC).

The purpose of the Forum is to inform students about how to access health and social services in the Outaouais and to provide an opportunity for students to learn more about the services offered by community organizations within the region.

Every year, Connexions works closely with the HAEC of the Western Quebec School Board to bring community organizations and other services to the Centre to offer workshops and kiosks for students.  This year the theme was “Let’s Talk About Mental Health.”

Students had the opportunity to attend 5 workshops:

• The HAEC offered a hands-on cooking class for their students on “Healthy Eating, Healthy Minds”.  “I got to eat what I made,” said one student, who enjoyed the cooking class because it taught him some easy-to-make recipes that were affordable and of course healthy. The workshop divided the students into groups so that they could learn about teamwork, how to follow instructions and how to create simple recipes to make at home on a low budget.
• L’Autre Chez Soi offered a workshop on “Navigating relationships: Social Media, Sexting and You.”  As one students pointed out: “I liked this workshop because violence is prevalent in our society so it’s important to talk about it and to know where to find resources if we need help.”
• Josette Kodsi, a Social Worker at the Western Quebec School Board, spoke to students about anxiety and stress, and gave them valuable tools to help them cope with every day stresses.
• Lori D’Aoust, a registered yoga instructor, provided a meditation, yoga and physical activity workshop where students could learn some relaxing yoga and stretching exercises, as well as some deep-breathing techniques, to help them improve their mental health.
• Portage Drug Addiction Rehabilitation Treatment Centre came with 2 residents who told their powerful story of drug abuse and how the Portage program helped them to deal with the issues that lead them to take drugs.

Connexions also had the opportunity to speak to students at our kiosk, answering questions about mental health services, how to use 811, and sharing information on accessing health and social services resources in the community.  Here are some of the resources shared:

• Connexions Resource Centre: Info-Santé 8-1-1 (a free and confidential telephone consultation service), how to Register for a Family Doctor and the Health Passport.
• Éducaloi: steering students towards their online information on careers in law and their online Youth Zone.  We also had the opportunity to speak to some of the teachers and staff at the HAEC about some of the available teaching tools and resources provided by Éducaloi to help them talk about the law with students.
• Mental Health First-Aid Kit Resources for Youth:
  • Mental Health Activity Cards for Youth( and also adults), Mental Health Cards with Words of Empowerment and Mandala Colouring(also for adults)
  • Mental Health Resource Cards that include a list of resources (crisis resources, etc.), as well as important contact information on where to find legal, health and mental health supports in the Outaouais.
  • Paper Fidget Toys that some youth might find fun and helpful when trying to cope with stressful situations: Instructions to make fidget tools with your youth, Spinning Fidget Template, I Can Cool Off Flower, Fortune-Teller Finger Game, Fidget Copter Template.
  • List of Different Coping Strategies to give you inspiration and to help fill-out some of the Templates above.
  • I am Grateful for… Activity Page to write down what you are grateful for.  Great activity to share with your child.
  • A list of What to Include in a Calm Down Kit

We would like to thank the organizations who came to provide information to students at the kiosks, including L’Apogée (French Website, but bilingual services at 819-771-5566), l’AQETA, Le Bras, the Service de police de la Ville de Gatineau on driving and texting, Donne-toi une chance, West Quebec Literacy Council (WQLC), the Western Quebec Career Centre.

We would like to thank the HAEC students for taking part in this full-day event, as well as the HAEC Principal, Scott Cavers, teachers and support staff for their help in organizing the Wellness Fair.  And of course a thank you goes out to the community organizations and WQSB specialists who came out to pass on information and answer student questions.  You have once again helped us make this Health and Wellness Fair a continuing success!