Wellness Resources for Students, Staff, and Families
Livingstone Range School Division focuses on the wellbeing of students, families, and staff, and wants everyone to stay physically, emotionally, and mentally well.
Our professionals have curated these resources to help families. Use good judgment when accessing websites and online tools. Livingstone Range School Division is not responsible for third-party information.
Free Guide: Conquering Back-to-School Anxiety
Help pave the way to a stress-free and confident school year for your child with a guide from AHS regular presenter, Dr. Caroline Buzanko.
Alberta Health Services Virtual Sessions & Webinars
AHS offers free mental health webinars through their Community Education and Child, Youth, and Family Caregiver Education Services. Find one that fits your needs and schedule. Click here for current sessions. Past recorded sessions may also be viewed.
Visit the AHS Community Education page for more information. community.hmhc.ca
Visit the AHS Child, Youth, and Family Caregiver Education website for tip sheets, videos, and more! www.cyfcaregivereducation.ca
- Parent-Child Attachment Foundations: Strategies for Building & Maintaining a Healthy Attachment with Your Child | September 18, 6:30 pm
- Stress, Stigma, and Safety for Caregivers | September 19, 6:30 pm
- Stress Management | September 20, 12:00 pm
- Target Dyslexia | September 20, 6:00 pm
- Healthy Brains = Healthy Children: Ways We Can Build Healthy Children & Teens | September 26, 12:00 pm
Use the Alberta Health Services enhanced respiratory assessment tool that provides Albertans with guidance to manage a wide range of respiratory illnesses, advice on caring for symptoms at home, and when to seek additional care.
Check out Tips to Manage Mild Symptoms at Home
Mental Health Supports & Helplines
Access mental health supports and services online, by phone, or by text.
- Health Link | Call 811
- Alberta's Community and Social Services | Call 211 or text 'INFO' to 211
- Alberta Mental Health Helpline | 1-877-303-2642
- Distress Line of Southern Alberta | 403-327-7905 or 1-888-787-2880
- AHS: COVID-19 and Your Mental Health
- AHS: Help in Tough Times
- AHS: Virtual Mental Health
- AHS Virtual Workshops: Learn to Manage Stress in Challenging Times
- Alberta Health Services – Text4Hope
- Kid’s Help Phone | 1-800-668-6868 | Text ‘CONNECT’ to 686868
- ConnecTeen | www.calgaryconnecteen.com | Call or Text 587-333-2724
- Teen Mental Health
- Alberta COVID-19 Youth Mental Health Resource Hub
- Addiction Services Helpline | 1-866-332-2322
- Family Violence Info Line | 403-310-1818
- Abuse Helpline | 1-855-443-5722
- FCSS Barons/Eureka/Warner Mental Health Counsellors | 587-370-3728
- Tex4Hope Programs
- Text 'Open2Change' to 393939 for addiction assistance
- Text 'CancerCare' to 393939 for cancer assistance
- Text 'COVID19HOPE' to 393939 for COVID-19 assistance
- Anxiety Canada
- Togetherall online network that offers anonymous, peer-to-peer mental health service
- Canadian Mental Health Association - Lethbridge | 403-329-4775
- Crisis Text Line - Text HOME to 741741 to connect with a Crisis Counselor
- Family doctor - While many of us only see our doctor for our physical health, having conversations about how we are coping is important to our overall well-being. If you are not connected to a doctor at this time, you can locate one at www.albertafindadoctor.ca.
- Rural Mental Health Project resources
- BeThere.org - resources to help someone you care about who is struggling with their mental health
- ATA Can We Talk
- Jack.org - Alberta COVID-19 Youth Mental Health Resource Hub
Teacher & Staff Resources
Whether working in the school or from home, the pandemic has changed school-based staff's experience. These resources will help you address the challenges, stresses, and opportunities of school during COVID-19.
Promoting Good Mental Health
Find resources for talking, calming anxiety, healthy habits, and mindfulness. Remember: self-care isn't selfish.
- AHS: Help in Tough Times - Self-Help
- My Alberta: Heping You Recover from a Disaster or Emergency
- My Alberta: Helping Children and Teens Recover from a Disaster or Emergency
- VIDEO: Institute of Child Psychology -Helping Children Manage Anxiety Related to COVID-19
- Psychology Canada Strong Minds Strong Kids - Resources
- VIDEOS: Helping Kids Manage Anxiety Around Coronavirus - 4 Experts
- Supporting Kids During Coronavirus
- Applying Mindfulness to Quell Anxiety
- Independent Play and Homeschool Strategies
Resources for FNMI Families
Piikani and Kainai families can find local resources here.
For on-reserve Piikani families, the number for Emergency Essential Packages is 403-965-3092.
For Blackfoot Confederacy members livings off-reserve in Calgary or Lethbridge, food hampers are available. Email arnoldj@blackfootconfederacy.ca and include your name, nation, contact information, physical living address, and number of people in household.
- Blood Tribe Social Development - during work hours call (403) 737-3974
- FCSS Food Bank - (403) 737-2888
- Piikani Nation information
- Native Counselling of Alberta
- Alberta Health Services Indigenous Peoples & Communities COVID-19
- Hope For Wellness
- WeMatter - a place to help indigenous youth get through hard times
- First Nations Health Authority - Staying Connected During the Pandemic
- Indigenous Services Canada Video Playlist
Supports for Students with Disabilities
These resources for students with special needs and their families may support your child at home.
Counsellors' Corner
Our Family School Liaison Counsellors share video messages to help us stay mentally and emotionally well.
- WATCH Episode 1 | Whatever You're Feeling is Normal
- WATCH Episode 2 | Belly Breathing
- WATCH Episode 3 | Activities for Daily Routines - includes instructions for making your own squeezy fidget toy and salt dough sculptures!
- WATCH Episode 4 | Ms. Sparkes reads "The Invisible String"
- WATCH Episode 5 | Practice Kindness
- WATCH Episode 6 | The Many Roles of Parents
- WATCH Episode 7 | Gratefulness Practice
- WATCH Episode 8 | Tips for Handling Worry
- WATCH Episode 9 | Creating a Positive Mindframe
- WATCH Episode 10 | Mindfulness Practice Outside for Students and Adults
- WATCH Episode 11 | Coping With Disappointment Over Cancelled Plans
- WATCH Episode 12 | Frozen or Freed
- WATCH | Coping During COVID-19
Mental Health in Schools
Learn more about the Government of Alberta's information, resources, and support for mental health in our schools.
Emergency & Financial Support Resources
Find supports for financial assistance, food banks, shelter, emergency preparedness, and more.
- Practical and Emotional Preparedness for a Pandemic
- Government of Alberta Emergency Financial Assistance
- Emergency Social Services (especially when in need of shelter or need to leave home) 1-866-644-5135
- Alberta 211
- Financial assistance, counseling, support with isolation, food, shelter etc. (multi-lingual)
- CALL – 211 TEXT - 211
- LIVE CHAT - https://www.ab.211.ca/
- Claresholm Family & Community Support Services (FCSS) - 403-625-4417
- Prepare and deliver food/hygiene hampers to people’s doorsteps, all while following the AHS guidelines
- Click HERE for poster
- High River Food Bank – 403-652-2195
- Claresholm Food Bank - 403-625-2092 | 221-45 Avenue West
- Fort Macleod Family & Community Support Services (FCSS) - 403-553-4491
- The Salvation Army Family Services (Lethbrdge) - 403-327-8084
- Crowsnest Pass Food Bank - 403-564-5110
- Pincher Creek Food Bank - 403-632-6716
- Nanton Ministerial Food Bank - 403-601-4201
How to Talk to Your Child
These articles and resources may help you in talking to your child about COVID-19 and its impacts.
- PDF: Talking to Kids About COVID-19
- Harvard & Alberta Teachers' Association: Talking to Kids About Coronavirus
- How to Talk to Your Child
- How to Talk to Your Child About the News
- Talking with Children about COVID-19
- Talking to Your Child about COVID-19
- Talking to Children About COVID-19
- Child Friendly Book About COVID-19
- Get Daily Advice About Structuring the Day During COVID - 19
- Harvard University Center on the Developing Child Article
- A Kids Guide to Handling Change
- Schools Are Closed Social Stories
- Social Story Changes
- Why I Can't Go to School: A Social Story
- What is a Virus: A Social Story
- Coping Strategies for Kids at Home
- PBS: Talking to Your Kids About Coronavirus and Healthy Habits Videos
Structure & Learning From Home
Learning from home in this way is new for all of us. Discover resources to help establish routines, understand expectations, and use technology.
- Resources for At-Home Learning During COVID-19 - Alberta Education
- Creating Structures and Rules
- Routines and Teens: How you Can Help
- Help! I've got Kids, What Do I Do? Tips for parents working from home.
- Parenting in a Pandemic
- How to Create a Learning Space for Your Child
- Parents' Guide to Google Classroom
- Video Conferencing Best Practices for Students, Families, and Teachers
Managing Boredom
Being physically and mentally active will help mitigate boredom and loneliness during social distancing and school closure. Check out these online resources to help.
- Be Fit For Life: Active at Home
- Be Fit For Life: Blackfoot Movement Story
- Be Fit For Life: AniMoves Indigenous Language Edition
- Physical Activities to Do at Home: BOKS
- Physical Activity Games: BokSopoly
- Active After School Resources
- My Feelings Journal
- Gratitude Journal
- Gratitude Scavenger Hunt
- Ted Ed: Ted Talks for Kids
- National Geographic Kids
- Learn a Language for Free
- Kids Podcasts
- OverDrive Shared Digital Library Collection
- Storyline Online
- Virtual Museum
- Lunch Doodles with Mo Willems
- Random Acts of Kindness
- Over 30 Virtual Field Trips with Links
- 100 Activities to Do at Home
- 70 Things to Do With Kids at Home
- Arcade Games
- Crazy Games Online
- Christmas Games
- Winter Activities for the Whole Family
- Art for Kids Hub