Sunshine Coast Mind the Gap Project
Funded by Health Canada and coordinated by the Roberts Creek Community School, the Mind the Gap project was a comprehensive series of trainings, programs and interventions to increase the social emotional capacity of the Sunshine Coast School Community.
Specific evidenced-based programs designed for students, teachers, parents and youth were delivered over a two and a half year period. Using an ecological approach that views students' mental health and wellness as a product of the interdependence between the student and the subsystems of the ecosystem, e.g. family, school environment, community and social environment.
Our goal is to build the foundational social emotional capacity of youth in the community to foster a sense of self-awareness and social responsibility. Youth with healthy social emotional skills are capable learners and can become compassionate and responsible citizens, making better choices for themselves and their community.
Project Goals and Objectives
- To build leadership capacity and increase community awareness and understanding of SEL and its importance in a healthy community
- To support the implementation of evidence-based programs that teach the five SEL core competencies
- To collect, share and understand common data to support and direct school and community initiatives that address SEL needs
Our Member Organizations: Vancouver Coastal Health, Ministry of Children & Families, School District 46, Capalino University Sechelt.
smartEducation™
SMART (Stress Management & Resiliency Techniques)
The smart program involves experiential activities in mindfulness including: secular meditation, emotional awareness, self-regulation and mindful movement. Weekly meetings include presentations and group discussions. Participants also benefit from daily at home exercise in support of the program learning.
Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction for Educators
The MBSR Program was founded by Dr. Jon Kabat-Zinn and has been taught at the University of Massachusetts Medical School since 1979 with over 3 decades of research documenting its role in health promotion.
The MBRS Program is an intensive, highly participatory training that cultivates the skills necessary for educators to become aware of and regulate their thoughts, emotions and behaviours to more effectively manage stress and improve health and well being; to enhance a sense of wholeness and happiness in one’s personal life and relationships, and to rekindle one’s motivation to teach.
We are fortunate to partner with a local highly skilled and experienced MBSR Facilitator, Dr. Rahul Gupta. Rahul is a major addition to our team and we look forward to offering this program again, as we already have a waiting list.
Mindfulness Enhanced Strengthening Families (MeSFP)
The Mindfulness Enhanced Strengthening Families Program (MeSFP) is an evidence-based nationally and internationally recognized parenting and family strengthening program. This seven week program improves parenting practices and is one of the most effective ways to support the qualities of mindful parenting. Woven through the program are concepts and practices related to mindfulness and mindful parenting. MeSFP is unique in that the whole family attends each session. Each seven week course is delivered by three trained facilitators and both the parents and children participate.