September 21st, 2022

Each year, the International Day of Peace is observed on 21 September.

Established in 1981 by the United Nations, Peace Day provides a day to strengthen the ideals of peace. The 2022 theme for the International Day of Peace is “End racism. Build peace.”

At the Waterloo Region District School Board (WRDSB), we are committed to creating learning environments that affirm the lived experiences and identities of students and families, especially those most marginalized. We acknowledge that we have much work to do, and we understand we need to do better.

Today, and every day, we are working towards a community free of racism and racial discrimination. Our ongoing commitment as a system is to do better and to create conditions that promote well-being, empathy and inclusion

Resources

  1. Black Youth Helpline serves all youth and specifically responds to the need for a Black youth specific service, positioned and resourced to promote access to professional, culturally appropriate support for youth, families and schools.
  2. How to Foster and Maintain Supportive Spaces for Black Youth tip sheet from School Mental Health Ontario (SMHO)
  3. Kind Minds Family Wellness is an organization made up of 15 Black professionals that provide culturally relevant, identity-affirming support to our community. They specialize in Afrocentric/culturally grounded counselling, education, employment and research advocacy.
  4. Muslim Social Services Waterloo Region offers spiritually and culturally sensitive humanitarian and social services to the Muslim and non-Muslim communities of the Waterloo Region.
  5. BIPOC Directory of Therapists – A directory to make your search for a BIPOC therapist easier. Healing in Colour is not able to make any endorsements or guarantees regarding the practitioners listed. You are encouraged to visit their websites and ask them any questions you may have to determine that their services are the right fit for you.
  6. VIDEO: Valuing the Indigenous Approach to Mental Health – Stephen Paquette is an Ojibway from Wikwemikong unceded Territory. A former police officer, social worker, and manager of a drop-in for high risk Indigenous youth, Stephen now supports staff and students at the Halton District School Board, the Oakville Committee for Truth and Reconciliation, and sits on the Board of Governors for Sheridan College.
  7. Hope for Wellness Helpline offers immediate mental health counselling and crisis intervention to all Indigenous peoples across Canada.

Categories: News