The Hills of Headwaters Collaborative Ontario Health Team Children and Youth Mental Health and Addictions Sub-Committee came together with the goal to help the children and youth in the Dufferin/Caledon area with their mental health needs, especially now in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.  Life has changed drastically for the children and youth of our community and amid the fear, isolation, anxiety and change, kids are being called to adapt to their new “normal”. The impact of COVID-19 on a child or youth’s mental health can vary a great deal and each child or youth copes differently as well.

 

When looking at ways to help children and youth through the many effects COVID-19 has had on their lives, the CYMHA team listened to what the children and youth in our community had to say. We had a wonderful response to our call to action campaign.  Kids let us know how they are coping and what is working for them when facing all the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic.  Sharing  their stories, their experiences and what they have learned about themselves and mental well-being during this time is meaningful information for other children and youth to hear.  With their amazing submissions, we have created the COVID Lessons...kid2kid Video Series!  

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The video series features short videos targeted to help children and youth find some inspiration and ideas on what they can do to help cope with the stress and frustrations brought on by this pandemic. The COVID Lessons…Kid 2 Kid project will benefit the children and youth in our community in multiple ways such as allowing children and youth a creative outlet in sharing their stories, connecting our community through the sharing of these experiences, and providing resources to children and youth currently struggling or in need of some inspiration in our community with the ever-changing COVID landscape.

 

We thank the children and youth in our community for taking the time to create their submissions and share them with us.  The submissions will make a  difference in the lives of the children and youth of Dufferin/Caledon.