Bell Let’s Talk Day aims to engage Canadians in creating positive change in mental health. January 26, 2022, marks the 12th anniversary of this annual event. At the Ottawa Catholic School Board, we support and promote mental health conversations from a place of authentic compassion. Tomorrow, I invite you to enter the mental health conversation with #ocsbCompassion.
What is compassion?
Compassion literally means “to suffer together.” It’s that feeling that motivates you to help another in their time of sadness.
“Bear one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfil the law of Christ.”
— Galatians 6:2 (NRSV)
The scale of compassion
If we view compassion in the context of a scale, simply feeling sorry for someone may be a caring gesture. However, as we move up the scale, feelings of sympathy and empathy arise. Compassion occurs when we are moved to help – we are motivated to make a positive difference in another person’s life.
How can we live out #ocsbCompassion?
Compassion is kindness rooted in an appreciation of another’s suffering. Compassion involves seeing yourself in their shoes and wanting to do something to help and take action.
Here are some practical ways you can embody compassion through action:
- Be there for someone in their time of need
- Support a friend or family member with a task they view as overwhelming
- Treat others with respect
- Offer the gift of time to help a friend and/or colleague who is stressed
- Really listen when someone is struggling
Compassion promotes meaningful connections, facilitates problem-solving, and improves health and wellbeing. It is unifying and enables us to understand someone else’s situation. Paying it forward with positive actions over a day or a week can make a big difference in a person’s life.
Let’s have a conversation #ocsbCompassion
As we engage in #BellLetsTalk tomorrow, let’s also use this opportunity to start to talk about #ocsbCompassion. Do you have ideas or strategies to make the Ottawa Catholic School Board a community that personifies compassion in the context of mental health? Or are you already doing this? Let’s hear your ideas!
Resources to explore
- Class Conversation Starters (School Mental Health Ontario) are great resources for educators and parents as they fit well with the Bell Let’s Talk Toolkit.
- The Ontario chapter of the Canadian Mental Health Association will also be launching a day-long Bell Let’s Talk Event on January 26, 2022.
- Student Mental Health in Action MH Lit course Grades 9-12 (Student Mental Health Ontario)
- Student Mental Health in Action MH Lit course Elementary (eLearning Ontario)
Wellness and the OCSB
The entire OCSB family works together to ensure your child has a safe and strong foundation to learn. Wellness is very important to us at the OCSB. We know there is a strong correlation between mental health and student achievement. When your child feels welcomed, included, understood and supported, they can better engage with classroom learning. We invite you to learn more about what wellness means to us.