This page includes basic messaging designed for use by school administrators to promote the topic of mental health among students, parents, and the general school community. Included are:
- Morning announcement scripts
- Newsletter inserts
- Social media messages
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to your Healthy Schools contact at HPEPH.
| Morning Announcement Message | Audience |
|---|---|
| A message from Public Health – Did you know healthy relationships all have the same thing in common? They all are based on respect. This includes things like respecting each other’s personal items, thoughts and opinions, personal space, and more! | Elementary Students |
| A message from Public Health – Do you know what the characteristics of a healthy relationship are? Whether it’s a relationship with a friend, family member, classmate, romantic partner, coworker, etc., the characteristics of a healthy relationship are the same: respect, safety, boundaries/autonomy, trust, honesty, caring, open communication and fun. If you suspect you or someone you know is in an unhealthy relationship, reach out to a trusted adult. | Secondary Students |
| Newsletter Inserts | Audience |
|---|---|
| Sexual violence is a pervasive issue across Canada including in our community. One in three Canadian women will be sexually assaulted during her lifetime. This statistic illustrates the critical need to address the underlying causes of sexual violence. Sexual violence is rooted in toxic attitudes and behaviours stemming from sexism, misogyny and hypermasculinity. In order to eradicate sexual violence, we need to change attitudes and behaviours and create a culture of consent. What parents can do to help: • Teach children that their bodies belong to them and that they have the right to refuse physical contact. • Encourage children to trust their instincts and feelings. • Encourage children to speak up if something doesn’t feel right. Listen to their concerns and validate their feelings. • Teach children to respect other people’s boundaries. Encourage them to ask for permission before touching another person and encourage them to pay attention to other people’s body language and signs of discomfort as cues whether they should initiate physical contact or not. Children and youth learn about relationships through observing adults. By modeling healthy relationships and respecting consent and boundaries, parents display the skills and tools needed to form healthy connections with others. For more information, visit https://www.dtl.whiteribbon.ca/for-parents | Elementary School Parents |
| Sexual violence is a pervasive issue across Canada including in our community. One in three Canadian women will be sexually assaulted during her lifetime. This statistic illustrates the critical need to address the underlying causes of sexual violence. Sexual violence is rooted in toxic attitudes and behaviours stemming from sexism, misogyny and hypermasculinity. In order to eradicate sexual violence, we need to change attitudes and behaviours and create a culture of consent. What parents can do to help: • Have conversations with your teen about boundaries, consent, pressure, coercion and manipulation. Talk about sexual harassment and sexual assault. • Discuss the legal, social, and emotional consequences of non-consensual sex. • Talk about gender inequality and sexism and how they contribute to violence against women and girls. Children and youth learn about relationships through observing adults. By modeling healthy relationships and respecting consent and boundaries, parents display the skills and tools needed to form healthy connections with others. For more information, visit https://www.dtl.whiteribbon.ca/for-parents | Secondary School Parents |
| Social Media Messaging | Audience |
|---|---|
| Parents can help prevent sexual violence by teaching children that their bodies belong to them and that they have the right to refuse physical contact, to trust their instincts and speak up if something doesn’t feel right and to respect other people’s boundaries. For more information, visit https://www.dtl.whiteribbon.ca/for-parents | Parents of Elementary Students |
| Children and youth learn about relationships through observing adults. By modeling healthy relationships and respecting consent and boundaries, parents display the skills and tools needed to form healthy connections with others. For more information, visit https://www.dtl.whiteribbon.ca/for-parents | All Parents |
| Fathers are important role models for promoting values that prevent sexual violence including consent, equality in relationships, respectful communication and setting and respecting boundaries. For more information, visit https://www.itstartswithyou.ca/fathers/tips/ | All Parents |
| Although it is important for all children and youth to learn about sexual violence including the risks and ways to prevent it, it is imperative that we focus on the attitudes and behaviours of boys and men as most violence against women and girls is committed by males. Eradicating sexual violence requires changing attitudes and behaviours and creating a consent culture. For more information on how to prevent sexual violence, visit https://www.dtl.whiteribbon.ca/for-parents | All Parents |
| Parents and caregivers have vital roles in sexual violence prevention. Parents can help prevent sexual violence by having conversations with teens often about boundaries, consent, pressure, coercion, manipulation, sexual harassment and sexual assault. For more information, visit https://www.dtl.whiteribbon.ca/for-parents | Parents of Secondary Students |
