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The Bright Side
A Fun Newsletter to Lighten Your Day
August 2023
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Take a Break for Mental Wellness | |
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The Wellness in Schools Program (WISP) would like to introduce you to
The Bright Side, a bi-monthly newsletter for school wellness professionals like you! The Bright Side is designed to provide you with a break for mental wellness. In upcoming issues, you'll find:
- Tips and resources to help you cope with stress, burnout, and compassion fatigue.
- Stories and insights from school wellness professionals who are making a difference in the Contra Costa Community
- Fun and uplifting content to brighten your day and inspire you!
WISP hopes you'll enjoy reading The Bright Side as much as we enjoyed creating it for you! If you have any feedback, questions, or suggestions, please feel free to reach us via email at WISP@cccoe.k12.ca.us. We would love to hear from you!
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How Your Furry Friend Can Improve Your Mental Health!
Dogs are more than just pets, they are loyal companions that provide emotional and mental support, comfort, and joy to their owners. They can help people cope with stress, anxiety, depression, loneliness, and other mental health challenges.
Furry friends can provide social support and companionship, which can reduce feelings of isolation and loneliness. They can provide an opportunity to help you meet new people and make friends by being a conversation starter or shared interest to connect with others about.
Canine companions encourage physical activity and outdoor exposure, which boosts mood and energy levels. They also help you maintain a healthy routine and structure in your life by requiring regular feeding, walking, grooming, and playing. They offer unconditional love and acceptance, which improves your self-esteem and confidence. They also sense your emotions and provide comfort and empathy when you need it.
Dogs are fantastic creatures that have a positive impact on your mental health! If you have a pup pal, cherish them, and appreciate the benefits they bring in your life. Make sure to express your gratitude for your dog throughout this month! If you don’t have a dog, considering adopting one from a shelter or rescue organization. You might find a new best friend who will make you happier and mentally healthier
Explore the articles below to see more mental health benefits that dogs provide:
Further Reading:
Therapy Dogs in Central Valley District
"The Walls Come Right down" The Clinical Benefit of Therapy Dogs
The Alliance of Therapy Dogs
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Welcome Back to our
Mental Health School-Based Collaborative Meetings!
The Wellness in Schools Program would love to invite you to our quarterly
Mental Health School-Based Collaborative. This platform is open to school based mental health providers, counselors, wellness staff, administrators,
district leaders, and local community partners in the County to address the mental health needs of our students.
Join us on September 13, 2023 for our first collaborative of the school year.
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Your Dog Could be Featured in Our Next Newsletter!
Theodore hopes that you are engaging in healthy self-care activities throughout your summer. Theo's favorite way to take care of himself is spending time at the lake with his Paw Parents!
Send pics of your summer-time pooch to Pup Pics to be featured in our September newsletter!
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Here is where you will read about Contra Costa residents and organizations who are working tirelessly to uplift the health of our kids and community. This month get to know the National Institute of Canine Service & Training! | | | |  |
Take a Break to Watch Puppies! | Warrior Canine Connection is a pioneering organization that utilizes its mission based trauma recovery model to help wounded warriors reconnect with life, their families, their communities, and each other. | | | | |
Have some spare time? Here are some great local organizations dedicated to helping our four legged friends:
beourpet.org- Located in East Contra Costa County, volunteers can arrange to take a foster dogs "on a date".
arflife.org- Located in Walnut Creek, help with adoption meet & greets, fostering, and so much more.
contracosta.ca.gov Located in Martinez, with a tremendous need for dog fosters to help with their mental health.
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Upcoming Events Around Contra Costa | | |
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Teen Advisory Group: Want to make a change? Have tons of ideas and no outlet? Join our Teen Advisory Group at Ygnacio Valley Library. Meets on the first Thursday of every month 3pm-4pm, 2661 Ygnacio Valley Rd., Walnut Creek More Info | | | |
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Read to a Dog: Kids ages 6 and up can have fun and practice their literacy skills by reading to certified therapy dog Breeja from Alliance of Therapy Dogs. FREE More Info | | | |
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Max Meditation: Every second Wednesday at 6pm at the Hercules Library, 109 Civic Dr., Hercules FREE Sign Up! | | |
Upcoming Training Opportunities in Contra Costa | | |
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Trauma Informed Care 101: Understanding Your Role in Creating a Trauma-Informed Environment:
During this webinar, the presenter will provide an overview of trauma-informed care and how it has been applied across child-and family-service settings. This presentation will define trauma and trauma-informed care and discuss the specific steps to creating a trauma-informed approach, highlighting the role that the participants can specifically play in this transformation. Training will be held virtually from 10:00am-11:30pm
More Info
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More than "Si Se Puede": Tackling the Mental Health Needs of Latinx Teens:
This presentation will focus on the mental health needs of Latinx teens. There will be a discussion about the ways in which Latinx teens present differently when compared to teens of other ethnic groups and will discuss the way in which acculturative stress, parenting, tradition, health disparities, immigration status, and other factors contribute to their struggles. Training will be held virtually from 9:00am-11:00am More Info
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Racism as an Adverse Childhood Experience: How to Support Black Children:
Join C.O.P.E. for conversation and an opportunity to share your experience. Get tips to create a safe, secure, and loving environment for you and your children. This seminar is for Black families who reside in Contra Costa County.
More Info
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If you need assistance locating long-term mental health resources, talking through a problem, or exploring mental health treatment options, call 211 to speak to a live person who can help. 211 conversations are confidential, can be made anonymously, and are available in 180 languages upon request.
If you prefer to text, use web chat, or search for resources online, click her to find more ways to contact your local 211.
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Dial 988 or 1-800-273-8255 for the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.
988 will route callers to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (now known as the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline). When people call, text, or chat 988, they will be connected to trained counselors that are part of the existing Lifeline network. These trained counselors will listen, understand how their problems are affecting them, provide support, and connect them to resources if necessary.
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Virtual Me Moments Hub
Me Moments are practices students (and adults!) can use to address their needs at any moment in school and at home. These practices build self-regulation - an important social-emotional skill to identify and manage emotions, that helps prepare you to learn and engage with others.
For more on using Me Moments in your classroom, use Alliance for a Healthier Generation's Taking a Me Moment Resource
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Other Mental Health Hotlines
You can always call 211 to speak to someone and find local assistance, but there are also dedicated helplines available to anyone in the U.S.
- Crisis Text Line: Text the word ‘Home’ to 741-741
- Teen Line: Call 1-800-852-8336; Text Teen to 839863
- The Trevor Lifeline for LGBTQ youth: Call 1-866-488-7386
- The Trans Lifeline: 1-877-565-8860
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Meet Rudy!
Rudy's favorite form of self-care is relaxation. Rudy wants you to know that it's ok to relax and take time for yourself. Relaxation replenishes mental resources and allows for the body to recover. Making time to relax is essential for recovery and wellness!
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Recipe of the Month
Blueberry Baked Oats
Not only is this month’s recipe a great make-ahead breakfast, it also packs a nutrition punch that’s great for mental health! Blueberries are rich in antioxidants and folate which support the production of serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine – key brain chemicals involved in mood regulation and balance. Oats also offer a great source of slow-release energy which helps to stabilize mood and blood sugar levels throughout the day.
Prep Time: 6 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 36 minutes
Ingredients
1 cup of rolled oats
1 ripe banana
1 cup of almond milk
1 teaspoon of baking powder
1 teaspoon of chai spice (or ground cinnamon)
2 tablespoons of maple syrup
1-3 cup of frozen or fresh blueberries
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
- Blend the oats, milk, banana, baking powder, chai spice, and maple syrup in a high-speed blender until they are fully combined and the oats have broken down – about 30 seconds to 1-minute.
- Split the oat mixture between two 10 ounce ramekins or small baking dishes and top with blueberries.
- Bake the oats for 30 minutes.
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