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I had quite a serious talk with my daughter this weekend about mental health.  The topic of suicide was broached, and she was curious.  Reflecting on it now, I am so happy that I was able to have such an open conversation with my thirteen year old.  Mental health is a topic that we don't talk enough about - and when I say "we", I mean society. Unfortunately, I have known people who decided to end their life in this tragic way because they were struggling so hard with their mental health, that it seemed like the only way out.  We, who are left here on this earth  are left with an abundance of questions when we try to make sense of it all.  Questions and "if only" statements - and I am pondering whether the biggest "if only" is something that we can change, and hopefully save lives by doing so. "If only we talked about it." So often when we hear about someone being depressed, or that they took their own life because of depression, and our

I challenge you, during this wretched time of year for teachers, to do something good for yourself. Between the stacks of marking, the report card comments, the prepping of final exams, wrapping up year end awards and parties, planning graduations of all kinds, and just, in general, being a teacher in May and June, I challenge you to treat yourself and be good to yourself...you deserve it! Let's take a look at what that can look like.  I offer to you my list of ways I have treated myself over the years in order to maintain some sanity in the last few weeks of school. 1. Spa it up!  Run a bubble bath one night with some nice salts, bubbles or anything of the like.  Remember to lock that door so as to not be disturbed, and be sure to light some candles and put on your favourite playlist and RELAX . 2. Cook your favourite meal. Have you had a craving for that one savoury meal that just puts a smile on your face?  Stop by the grocery store on your way home tonight (leave the

Lately, the topic of wellness has been a prevalent one among myself and several of my colleagues and peers.  This world in which we live can deal us incredible highs, and what may sometimes seem like insurmountable lows.  With so many strings pulling at us each day and multiple stressors and factors that play a role in our lives daily - sometimes we just need help, and that is OKAY. Recently, several people I know have been struggling to find their happy place, myself included.  I don't know if it is the weather here in western Canada (we have had a ton of snow fall recently, along with low temps), or if it seems like the perfect storm of personal and professional matters, but the question, "What do you do for self-care?" seems to have come up a lot lately.  I have been thinking about what I like to do for self-care, and what I could do more of in times when I am feeling like I could use a little more of it.  This is what I came up with: 1. Unpack your feelings. Some