Introductions!
Welcome to Spring 2024, it is refreshing to connect with you on exciting news about the Thrival Kits program. We are pleased to introduce our new Youth Mental Health Promotion Coordinators, Ebenezer Ayim and Rahma Shahin.
![](https://thrivalkits.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/April-Newsletter-PDF.pdf-image-001.jpg)
Ebenezer holds BSc. Psychology from Ghana and MA. Disability Studies, University of Manitoba. Ebenezer was the research assistant for the two-year (2019-2021) Provincial Project: “Towards Positive Change to Promote Mental Health and Wellbeing for Black Canadians in Manitoba”. He is an advocate for Black Canadians mental health and researcher on intersectionality, disability, race, health inequities and inequalities. Ebenezer serves as an advisory committee member for Amandla Olwazi Mental Health project and Ethnocultural led mental health sector table and
WRHA Patient and Family Advisor. Ebenezer is the founder of HOPE ALIFE IDEA CENTER Ghana, a non-profit and charitable organization that provides mental health support services for disabled people in Ghana.
![](https://thrivalkits.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/April-Newsletter-PDF.pdf-image-002.jpg)
From a young age, mental health has always been one of many passions for Rahma as she hopes to create positive change throughout her work. Rahma has graduated from the University of Manitoba with a Bachelor of Social Work. She has worked for organizations such as the Elizabeth Fry Society of Manitoba and the Independent Living Resource Centre. Rahma aspires to continue to create meaningful connections and be an advocate for rightful action.
Let’s Hear from you!
To help support the reporting and evaluation of Thrival Kits program for the 2023/2024 fiscal year, we would like to hear from you if you were using Thrival Kits from 2022/2023 fiscal year. Please email Ebenezer (eayim@cmhawpg.mb.ca) or Rahma (rshahin@cmhawpg.mb.ca) with your responses. Early response is essential to help in the planning and development of the Thrival Kits program.
Facilitator Forum
2023-2024 has brought many thrilling updates to the Thrival Kits program! To summarize for new facilitators, all new additions to the program have a leaf symbol next to the topic in the facilitator’s guide.
We are continuously gathering feedback from teachers and facilitators in order for Thrival Kits to be successful for everyone. We encourage facilitators to use the Facilitator Forum in the Engage and Exchange Hub to share their input and experiences using the new features of the program!
![](https://thrivalkits.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/April-Newsletter-PDF.pdf-image-003.jpg)
Mental Health Week
As mental health week is coming near, we are happy to share the theme of this year which is A Call to be Kind! Kindness is showing consideration to others and going out of your way to help somebody in need. When we are kind to others, we make the world a better place to live. Being kind and compassionate not only helps us develop meaningful connections with others, but we are also able to find inner peace within ourselves.
![](https://thrivalkits.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/April-Newsletter-PDF.pdf-image-004.jpg)
This year for mental health week, we will be facilitating two virtual presentations for students.
There is a QR code which links to a short teams forum that we encourage participants to take the time to fill out. It is important for us to count for each individual joining us on this special event!
Access to both teams events below!
High school/Middle school:
May 7th, 2024; 1:00pm – 2:00pm
Meeting ID: 252 362 373 757
Passcode: PuCAyi
Elementary school:
May 9th, 2024; 1:00pm – 2:00pm
Meeting ID: 284 890 269 635
Passcode: BvfuRT
![](https://thrivalkits.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/April-Newsletter-PDF.pdf-image-005.png)
Thrival Kits Facilitator Resources
This year’s World Earth Day, April 22, 2024, is dedicated to Planet vs. Plastic. On this day, the world lunches a campaign on the impact of plastic on our physical and mental health. Studies reveal that climate
related exposures such as heat, drought, humidity, wildfires and floods cause psychological distress and poor mental health among all age groups. We believe conversation around the earth will spark our thinking and commitment to support the call for the end of plastics for improved mental heath.
![](https://thrivalkits.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/April-Newsletter-PDF.pdf-image-006.jpg)
The theme for Word Earth Day 2024 is Planet vs. Plastic
To learn more about World Earth Day, click Planet vs. Plastics: Global Theme for Earth Day 2024 – Earth Day
April Resource Spotlight
![](https://thrivalkits.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/April-Newsletter-PDF.pdf-image-007.jpg)
CRAFT (Community Reinforcement Family Training for Substance Use) is a program at CMHA that is designed to help an individual support a loved one that is battling with substance abuse. CRAFT allows you to learn effective skills and approaches that can be easily applied. If you or anyone you know is interested in participating in this three-day program, please click here for details and to register.