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 – Kids who are being bullied often feel like they can’t stand up for themselves. If you see someone being bullied, you can help by inviting them to play with you somewhere else, by being kind, by telling the person who is bullying that what they are doing is not okay or by telling an adult who can help stop the bullying. | Elementary Students |
| A message from Public Health – Did you know that allies are critical in helping and supporting 2SLGBTQI+ youth? Allies act as a bridge in the conversations that are needed to increase awareness and acceptance on 2SLGBTQI+ issues. Allies also show the 2SLGBTQI+ community that they are not alone in the struggle for equality. This week/month, we will be sharing suggestions on how students and teachers can be allies. Your actions can make a difference! | Secondary Students |
| This week/month, we will be sharing suggestions on how students and teachers can be allies to the 2SLGBTQI+ community. Wondering how you can be an ally? Be a Listener. Although we’re progressing as a community, many 2SLGBTQI+ youth may feel out of place. If an 2SLGBTQI+ youth expresses themselves to you, JUST LISTEN. | Secondary Students |
| This week/month, we will be sharing suggestions on how students and teachers can be allies to the 2SLGBTQI+ community. Wondering how you can be an ally? Be Willing to Learn. There are several terms used within the 2SLGBTQI+ community to help describe individuals’ experience, such as gender-fluid and non-binary. Familiarizing yourself with language that describes sexual orientation and gender expression will help you better understand 2SLGBTQI+ youth. | Secondary Students |
| This week/month, we will be sharing suggestions on how students and teachers can be allies to the 2SLGBTQI+ community. Wondering how you can be an ally? Stop Making “Jokes.” Anti-2SLGBTQI+ comments and jokes are hurtful and harmful. Words can be cruel. Be mindful of how you use them. For most of us, this probably means we need to work to unlearn offensive language that has been normalized. | Secondary Students |
| This week/month, we will be sharing suggestions on how students and teachers can be allies to the 2SLGBTQI+ community. Wondering how you can be an ally? Stand Up for 2SLGBTQI+ Youth. Bullying and harassment are NEVER OK. If you see something, SAY SOMETHING. Never let anyone make 2SLGBTQI+ youth feel low about who they are or who they love. | Secondary Students |
| (ENTER NAME OF Gender and Sexuality Alliances (GSA) aka gay-straight alliance) here) is a student-initiated and student-run club. Our GSA provides a safe, supportive environment for students of diverse genders and sexualities to meet, discuss sexual orientation and gender identity issues, support one another, and form community. We meet on (DATE) at (TIME). Hope to see you there! | Secondary Students |
| SCHOOL NAME continues to offer a school health clinic INSERT CLINIC HOURS AND LOCATION. The public health nurse at your school can provide immunizations, tobacco cessation and sexual health information and services, including STI testing, pregnancy testing, and birth control. Services are respectful, non-judgmental, confidential and provide a positive space for 2SLGBTQI+ persons. | Secondary Students |
| Newsletter Inserts | Audience |
|---|---|
| How Staff can be an Ally One of the key ways to be an ally is to support Two-Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer and intersex (2SLGBTQI+) students in your school. Wondering what this means? • Be a visible ally. Show your support when opportunities arise. • Support students who come out to you. • Respond to anti-2SLGBTQI+ language and behaviors. • Support student clubs, such as Gender and Sexuality Alliances. • One of the most important things you can do as an ally to support 2SLGBTQI+ students is to simply be there for them in a safe, respectful and helpful way. Check out this great video from AMAZE, which helps explain what it means to be a good ally www.youtube.com/watch?v=xS5FMErj0SE | Staff |
| Supporting your 2SLGBTQI+ Child Parents/guardians want their children to be happy, healthy, and safe. If your child comes out to you as Two-Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer and intersex (2SLGBTQI+), that may or may not be something you imagined or feel prepared for—but your acceptance really matters to their health and safety. The most important way that parents and families can help their gay or transgender children is to provide support. A strong support system helps 2SLGBTQI+ children develop a deep sense of self-worth and self-esteem. Children whose parents/guardians supported their gay or transgender identity had better overall health, and mental health. They had higher self-esteem and were much less likely to be depressed, to use illegal drugs, or to have suicidal thoughts. Learning about your child’s sexual orientation and gender identity will help you understand and help them. Information and education are always the first step. Find out more at hpepublichealth.ca/2slgbtqi/. If your child identifies as 2SLGBTQI+ and is being bullied, refer to the resources available through prevent for guidance and support, available at https://www.prevnet.ca/bullying/parents/parents-of-lgbtq-youth | Elementary/Secondary Parents |
| Being an ally There are people who don’t identify as 2SLGBTQI+ but who want to provide strong support. They stand up for the equal rights of the 2SLGBTQI+ community. These people are called allies. An ally is a really good friend, family member, or support person who sticks by you, especially when times get tough. It’s like having someone stand up for a friend when they are being bullied. Wondering how can you be an ally? • Treat others as you would like to be treated — with dignity and respect. • Be open-minded. Being different doesn’t mean being “wrong”. We all have our own unique ways, but this is what makes us interesting! • Be a good listener. Try not to assume that your friends are straight (also known as heterosexual, which is when men are attracted to women and women attracted to men). Anyone could be struggling with their identity and may just need a friend they can trust. • Stand up to people who make homophobic jokes. Homophobia means not liking someone just because they’re gay. Let them know that it’s hurtful to others and that it’s not OK. • Defend your 2SLGBTQI+ friends and family if people are being mean to them. • Invite your 2SLGBTQI+ friends to hang out with your non-2SLGBTQI+ friends and family. Make them feel welcome in a variety of settings. • Go to events in your area like Pride parades. You can show your support by wearing a pink triangle or carrying a rainbow flag! • Remember that love is love. When two people love each other, it’s never a bad thing. Adapted from CBC kids. Check out this great video from AMAZE, which helps explain what it means to be a good ally www.youtube.com/watch?v=xS5FMErj0SE | Secondary Students/Parents/Allies |
| Support for 2SLGBTQI+ Students It can be difficult for anyone to understand their own sexual orientation and gender identity. In addition to challenges you may feel on your own, there can also be pressure from family, friends and society to act and feel a certain way. Looking for support? The Youth Line is a peer support help line where youth can speak to peer support volunteers to talk about questioning gender identity &/or sexuality, coming out, mental health, relationships (family/friends/partners), referrals and resources or just to talk. You are not alone! Phone: 1-800-268-9688 Text: 647-694-4275 https://www.youthline.ca | Secondary Students |
| All Youth Deserve to Feel Safe. Bullying Is A Human Rights Violation. Figuring out your sexual orientation can be a difficult process, especially when you are dealing with other stress related to school, friendships, and more. Did you know approximately 4% of teens identify as Two-Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, questioning, or intersex (2SLGBTQI+)? Kids who identify as 2SLGBTQI+ are more likely to be victims of bullying – including physical, verbal, and cyber bullying, and social exclusion. If you see this type of bullying – be an ally and stand up for your classmates. If you are experiencing any of these types of bullying – know you are not alone, and there are supports to help you. Don’t be afraid to speak up to a parent, teacher, or trusted friend. If you are unsure who to trust, your school social worker or HPE School Health Nurses are a great place to start. There are also support groups available in the region, and information lines that you can call at any time. Find out more at hpepublichealth.ca/2slgbtqi/ | Secondary Students |
| Putting a Stop to 2SLGBTQI+ Bullying All youth deserve to feel safe, and many children and youth – especially those who identify as 2SLGBTQI+, are the victims of bullying. The bullying experienced by 2SLGBTQI+ youth is similar to other types of bullying in adolescence, but it is particularly hurtful because these kids are keenly aware of society’s assumption that heterosexuality is “normal”. All sexual identities are normal, and you can help support your child, or their peers, if they are the victim of bullying. What can bullying look like? Bullying can be physical (hitting/kicking), verbal (name-calling, teasing, rude comments), social (exclusion, gossiping, rumours), and cyberbullying. Children and youth experiencing bullying may be anxious, have trouble sleeping, threaten to hurt themselves, be aggressive, and display other unusual behaviours. 2SLGBTQI+ youth often live with the threat of discrimination and violence, and the fear that friends and family will not support them in their decision to come out. They may suddenly withdraw from family and friends to avoid discussing their sexual orientation concerns. They may act out against parents or peers to distract questions about their sexual orientation, or in defense against real (or feared) rejection and harassment. How parents can help • Lead by example – demonstrate tolerance and acceptance of all sexualities and diversities. • Challenge Your Own Assumptions – Don’t automatically assume your child or his or her friends are heterosexual or “straight” as it could inhibit your child from seeking your support. Identify your own misconceptions and stereotypes about 2SLGBTQI+ issues. • Encourage Youth To Report – It is the parents’ job to deal with bullying. Let your child know that you want to hear about every incident of bullying and harassment. • Listen Closely, Respond Quickly – Parental support can be a powerful weapon against the negative effects of victimization. Treat every incident as important and intervene on your child’s behalf. • Be Inclusive of All Youth – Children are influenced by how their parents act. Treat 2SLGBTQI+ youth as members of your family, that you would not tolerate being hurt of embarrassed. • Reduce the Chances of Bullying -Surround your adolescent by youth who will stand up for him/her. Enrol in a school, community groups and organized activities that support 2SLGBTQI+ issues. • Seek outside support -2SLGBTQI+ youth who are bullied often have difficulties with depression and self-esteem. Counsellors can provide support through individual counselling or support groups. • Publicly Support 2SLGBTQ I+ Issues – Speak up for 2SLGBTQI+ youth by contacting the people responsible for policy development in school boards and provincial and federal governments. Find out more at hpepublichealth.ca/2slgbtqi/ | All Parents |
| Social Media Messaging | Audience |
|---|---|
| A Message from Public Health – Parents/guardians want their children to be happy, healthy, and safe. If your child comes out to you as 2SLGBTQI+ (Two-Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer and intersex), that may or may not be something you imagined or feel prepared for—but your acceptance really matters to their health and safety. Children whose parents/guardians supported their gay or transgender identity had better overall health, and mental health. They had higher self-esteem and were much less likely to be depressed, to use illegal drugs, or to have suicidal thoughts. For more information on how you can support your child visit hpepublichealth.ca/2slgbtqi/ | Elementary/Secondary Parents |
| A Message from Public Health – The most important way that parents and families can help their gay or transgender children is to support them. This helps their 2SLGBTQI+ child develop a deep sense of self-worth and self-esteem. Learning about your child’s sexual orientation and gender identity will help you understand and help them. Information and education are always the first step. Find out more at hpepublichealth.ca/2slgbtqi/ | Elementary/Secondary Parents |
| Educators can be important LGBTQ2+ Allies! One of the key ways to be an ally is to support Two-Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer (2SLGBTQI+) students in your school. Wondering how? • Be a visible ally. • Use affirming and inclusive language. • Support students who come out to you. • Intervene when you witness anti-LGBTQ2+ language and behaviors. • Support inclusive student clubs, such as Gender and Sexuality Alliances (GSAs). • Be there for them in a safe, respectful and helpful way. For more tips: https://egale.ca/awareness/tips-on-how-to-practice-lgbtqi2s-allyship/ | Educators |
| This week/month, we will be sharing suggestions on how students and teachers can be allies to the 2SLGBTQI+ community. Allies act as a bridge in the conversations that are needed to increase awareness and acceptance. Wondering how you can be an ally? Be a Listener. Although we’re progressing as a community, many 2SLGBTQI+ youth may feel out of place. If an 2SLGBTQI+ youth expresses themselves to you, JUST LISTEN. | Secondary Students |
| This week/month, we will be sharing suggestions on how students and teachers can be allies to the 2SLGBTQI+ community. Allies also show the 2SLGBTQI+ community that they are not alone in the struggle for equality. Wondering how you can be an ally? Be Willing to Learn. There are several terms used within the 2SLGBTQI+ community to help describe individuals’ experience, such as gender-fluid and non-binary. Familiarizing yourself with language that describes sexual orientation and gender expression will help you better understand 2SLGBTQI+ youth. | Secondary Students |
| This week/month, we will be sharing suggestions on how students and teachers can be allies to the 2SLGBTQI+ community. Allies are critical in helping and supporting 2SLGBTQI+ youth. Wondering how you can be an ally? Stop Making “Jokes.” Anti-2SLGBTQI+ comments and jokes are hurtful and harmful. Words can be cruel. Be mindful of how you use them. For most of us, this probably means we need to work to unlearn offensive language that has been normalized. | Secondary Students |
| This week/month, we will be sharing suggestions on how students and teachers can be allies to the 2SLGBTQI+ community. Wondering how you can be an ally? Stand Up for 2SLGBTQI+ Youth. Bullying and harassment are NEVER OK. If you see something, SAY SOMETHING. Never let anyone make 2SLGBTQI+ youth feel low about who they are or who they love. | Secondary Studentsv |
