The new Unbox Your Mind initiative provides guidance, support, and tools for leaders and parents to become mental health champions. Through this 4-H at Home initiative, you will be able to aid young people in their ability to identify, recognize, and manage stress in themselves and their peers, all while learning about good health and well-being.

We’ve created and collected a series of resources and that are designed to help youth explore, test, and find strategies that can support their mental health and well-being.

From resource materials and tip sheets to hands-on activities and strategies, there are a variety of ways to explore and discover what works best for each individual. When it comes to mental health, remember there is no “one size fits all” strategy for support. Different things work better or not as well for different people and that is okay. As you begin to ‘Unbox Your Mind’ and get to know yourself better, you will find what best fits your needs.

Download all resources and activities

Get a copy of all the resources and activities from this initiative listed below as a zip file to start exploring today.

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Resources

The Mental Health Resource Book for Youth and the Resource Book for Leaders are filled with tip sheets and information on how to take care of yourself and support others. These resources can help you build your knowledge and understanding of mental health in general.

Learn more about the Healthy Living Initiative

Something On Your Mind? – This Kids Help Phone resource provides some general information on mental health to build your understanding and strategies to support yourself. Mental Health is part of everyone's journey. Remember, it’s okay not to be okay.

The Sustainable Development Goals were set out by the United Nations in 2015 as a blueprint for achieving a better and more sustainable future for everyone by 2030. This initiative is designed to help support the achievement of the SDGs and in particular, SDG #3: Good Health and Well-being.

Activities

Sock Ball Games – This resource from Active for Life shares some simple, fun ways to get moving at home. Being physically active helps you sleep better, relieves stress, and improves your mood, memory, and more. The positive impacts of well-being go on and on.

Any Time, Any Day Smoothies – These simple smoothie recipes from the Dairy Farmers of Canada make a great snack option at any time of day, especially when you’re looking for something quick. Keeping your body well hydrated and nourished with energy-filled foods supports your mental health. Meals are also great times to connect with family and friends…even virtually!

Make Your Own Stress Ball Activity – This hands-on activity will guide you through creating your own stress ball. For this activity, you’ll need two balloons and either some sand, flour, or rice. Stress balls are a helpful tool for keeping your hands busy when you’re experiencing various feelings and emotions. Using your stress ball causes you to contract the muscles in your hand which makes them stronger. This leads to improvements in nervous system functions and reduces hormone and stress levels.

The Wheel of Well-Being – This activity from Kids Help Phone will help you explore the connections that exist in different areas of your life. When something in one area changes, other areas are impacted. Use this activity to explore ways to keep things in balance and your well-being at its best.

Lift Me Up Hot Air Balloon Activity – Take some time to complete this self-reflection activity thinking about things that bring you up and weigh you down. This information can help when you’re looking for ways to change your mood.

Thrive: One Province at a Time Journal – This colouring journal from mindyourmind is a journey to help you learn new skills and build resources for supporting your mental health and working towards goals. With your favourite colouring supplies, colour your way through the journal as you complete the activities. Colouring is a relaxing activity that can help to center and refocus the brain.

Activity Kits

Unbox Your Mind Activity Kits are no longer available for order, but you can download the resources and activities above.

Included in each Activity Kit were printed copies of resources and supplies for the activities for youth to learn and explore, either at home with their families or together with their 4-H clubs.

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Thank you to our partners

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