Mental Health Matters
With #BellLetsTalk Day approaching, we thought it would be a good time to look at the many connections between the food we eat and our mental health. These past two years, children and youth have faced many drastic changes and new stressors in their day-to day-lives. Below are some ways that food can help to build resilience and mental wellness in children at school.
School food programs, like breakfast programs, impact mental health.
Fueling a hungry belly is good for the mind, and breakfast programs create opportunities for students to volunteer and experience a sense of belonging in the school community. Students can engage more personally with staff and improve their confidence by taking on leadership roles.
Download our Breakfast at School poster.
Students who eat breakfast participate more in class with fewer office referrals.
Healthy food impacts not only on our physical bodies, but our mental health. Here’s how you can support healthy eating in your school so students can stay fueled and engaged: Ways to Support Healthy Eating in Schools
Meaningful involvement in your community decreases stress and increases happiness.
Consider volunteering at a local breakfast program today to make others, and yourself, smile!
Download our Why Volunteer for a Breakfast Program poster.
January 26 is Bell Let’s Talk Day
On Bell Let’s Talk Day, Bell will donate more towards mental health initiatives in Canada by contributing 5¢ for every applicable text, call, tweet or TikTok video using #BellLetsTalk, social media video view and use of the Bell Let’s Talk Facebook frame or Snapchat lens. With your support, Bell Let’s Talk Day 2021 set a new record with 159,173,435 messages of support for mental health.
Talking about mental illness is hard and knowing what to say or how to say it isn’t always obvious. Bell has created a conversation guides that can be used to lead your own discussion about mental health or talk with someone you might be concerned about as well as tools for teachers and students available below.
If you or someone you know is struggling with their mental health, call the NS Mental Health Helpline toll-free at 1-888-429-8167 or Kids Help Phone toll-free at 1-800-668-6868.
