Counsellor's Corner

GSACRD Voice Website

Greater St. Albert Catholic Schools in partnership with Alberta Health Services was granted the Mental Health Capacity Building Initiative (MHCB) in 2019.

This grant was designated for the rural schools within our district in the communities of Legal & Morinville, and is present in Morinville Community High School, École Georges H. Primeau Middle School, École Notre Dame Elementary School, Legal School, and newly in St. Kateri Tekakwitha Academy.

The MHCB team works to provide mental health education, prevention, and promotion. What this looks like within our schools is designated Wellness Coaches at each school for students, families, and staff to connect with; programming outside class times; presentations around mental health and well-being in classrooms; school-wide initiatives to engage students in learning about their mental health; referrals to different resources within the community; and parent initiatives such as coffee talk groups and evening presentations with guest speakers. Our MHCB team is known as 'GSACRD Voice' - here to empower you to find yours!

You can find all information about GSACRD Voice, our mental health capacity building initiative for Morinville and Legal at their website

Mental Health Supports

The School Counsellor at Legal School provides social and emotional support to students. Teachers and parents can also refer students and appointments can be booked in advance. Support is provided for individual and family concerns and referrals to outside agencies can be accessed through the School Counsellor. Please contact Mrs. Delhez at tdelhez@gsacrd.ab.ca

More Videos from Miss Josey!

Here you will find videos that Miss Josey has done to support different aspects of your mental health.

Zumba with Ms. Josey!

Join me in doing a fun Zumba workout!! Zumba is a type of exercise that combines dance and fitness moves. Have fun with me getting our heart rates up, bodies moving, and dancing along to music! Trying something new and doing something active is great for our physical and mental health!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gudNH-Etpfk&feature=youtu.be

Kickboxing with Ms. Josey!

Want to learn something new? Try this Kickboxing workout with me! We engage in some beginner level kickboxing moves that are safe, fun, and get you moving! Getting active doesn't always have to look the same, trying something new is a great way for you to practice self-care and to have some fun!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L-ye0xWPa38&feature=youtu.be

The Book "Say Something" Read Aloud

The book "Say Something" by Peter H. Reynolds. This book is a wonderful book that talks about the importance of speaking up for others and to say something when we feel people aren't being heard. In taking care of our own mental health, it is important to take care of other peoples' mental health as well. We can do that through standing up for others, being kind to others, and reaching out to those who may feel alone.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ob0t-dRiOc&feature=youtu.be

Figure Eight Activity

Taking care of our minds and bodies after doing some hard work is really important! Make sure to try different stretches and exercises, to release some energy and tension after you have been working so hard! Try this Figure Eight Activity with me, where we move our bodies in mindful ways to practice self-care.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EK3zzyPC9jM&feature=youtu.be

Take 5 Breathing Activity:

In this mindfulness activity, we will practice a breathing technique called "Take 5 Breathing". It is a great activity to do to bring some calm and peace into our lives when our feelings may feel too big or overwhelming.                                           

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m3bZFYhhse4&feature=youtu.be

Animal Exercises

Get your body moving, your heart rate up, and have some fun with me in Animal Exercise movements! Exercise is so important in taking care of our physical and mental wellbeing. It is a great way to practice self-care and to help with our self-regulation!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S_irp2rMWKU&feature=youtu.be

Mindfulness Stretching Activity

In this activity, we will be doing different stretching movements that support our mental and physical health. Stretching is a great way to relieve stress or frustration, or when feeling overwhelmed. Stretching is a way to practice mindfulness, self-care, and creates a healthy balance within your day.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mxk9wtFTPKI&feature=youtu.be

Shoulder Roll Breathing Activity

In this mindfulness activity, we will practice a breathing technique called "Shoulder Roll Breathing". It is a great activity to do to bring some peace and relaxation after doing our school work or work at our computers!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RGU_WFzBST0&feature=youtu.be

Spread Love & Kindness Activity

In this mindfulness activity we will be spreading love and kindness to ourselves, to the ones we love, and to people throughout the world.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cFCHfxE-p_Y&feature=youtu.be

Talking About Our Sad Feelings

In this video, we will be talking about our sad feelings, what to do when we are feeling sadness, and reading the book "When Sadness is at your Door" by Eva Eland. This book talks about ways we can help make our feelings of sadness feel better!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4cv_Ucsg5aA&feature=youtu.be

Let Go of Anger Activity (Gr. K-9)

Together, we will be doing an activity to help you let go and release some feelings of anger and frustration that you may be feeling in your mind and body. This activity can be done anywhere at any time! Remember, to let yourself feel all the feelings you may be experiencing, you are not alone.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w0aDZT_7bCw&feature=youtu.be

Let Your Fears Float Away - Joyful Jellyfish Activity (Gr. K-6)

In this activity we will imagine ourselves as a joyful jellyfish, allowing all of our feelings of fear and worry to float away. It is okay if you are feeling afraid, worry or fear. Talk to someone when you are feeling this way and do something good for your spirit to help let those feelings to be let go and float away.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3uY3V5D-0kk&feature=youtu.be

Yoga with Animals 

Yoga is a great way to feel a sense of calm and relaxation in your day. It is wonderful for your mental health and your physical health. Miss Josey's pets, Basher and Luna wanted to join you in yoga too!

https://youtu.be/T-8LUIiWQ1s

A Safe Place - Mindfulness Activity

In this activity you will imagine yourself as a strong and study tree, helping you feel grounded and connected. This is a great way to help you feel stable, balanced and at peace with how you are feeling. Once your body is feeling calm, we will create a 'safe place' in our minds, imagining how it looks, how it feels, how it smells, and what it sounds like. 

https://youtu.be/pF1MQU1Vjh4

"A Good Egg" By Jory John and Pete Oswald - A book about self-care

With the permission from HarperCollins Publishers, please enjoy this book, "A Good Egg" by Jory John and Pete Oswald. This book tells the story of an egg who feels he puts a lot of pressure and worry on himself, for things he cannot control. This egg finds the importance of being kind to himself and practicing self-care to take care of his mind and body. 

https://youtu.be/ulpRA6AxpV0

Practicing Positive Self-Esteem Activity 

This activity is all about practicing positive self-esteem. Being kind to yourself, loving yourself and loving who you are is so important in taking care of our mental health. Try this activity with a family member and challenge them to think of all the things they love about who they are too!

https://youtu.be/jmnTfF7dc1Q

Universal Support Resources (COVID-19 & General):

In these resources, you can find a daily schedule template, tips to support your family’s general mental health, how to support your child’s feelings of worry and fear, family fun, self-care ideas, and many activities and links for outside the learning hours. 

Grades K-6: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1uyy2HL6dcU1cr9CI0ArLXettoAhCUXXH/view?usp=sharing

Grades 7-12: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1tEDhGYGYmw6JpAyd7hXSJCNkXH6ySkCP/view?usp=sharing 

Additional Supporting Documents: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1kvGgISuOnHDUeaihmwtoSLHvFVRdUx-j?usp=sharing