Mental Health during remote learning

The province of Manitoba outlined remote learning as a preventative measure against the spread of Covid-19 in schools.

While classrooms are quiet, children of essential workers, inclusive needs and high risk students remain at school. It's been a long road for everyone, including staff, teachers, parents, caregivers and students.

"Working from home and taking school from home is certainly not as good as being with your friends and at school. Acknowledging that it's not optimal and it's okay to be disappointed about that," says Beth Rogers, Service Director of Clinical Support Services for WSD.

"When it comes to keeping ourselves mentally well, it's all about balance. The biggest risk when working from home is too much isolation and screen time. It's important to get outside even if it's cold, to get enough sleep especially good sleep and eat nutritious foods."

Rogers outlined the importance of doing activities for students while at home. "Finding something they enjoy; drawing, writing, singing, dancing, building, crafts. Something that's creative."

Although students are at home learning, teachers are also navigating remote learning 

"Teachers are under stress, and parents are under phenomenal stress. Students will pick up on that stress whether it's stated or not stated. We all need to give each other some understanding and empathy."

Rogers encouraged students to practice gratitude while at home to help negative feelings associated with increased screen time and isolation. "Gratitude; we need to catalogue the good by finding and writing down the good." 

Interactive Mental Health Resource Hub  created by the Clinical Support Services team We encourage families to take advantage of this resource to help open conversations at home and help students' overall optimal health and wellness during remote learning.