Free Classroom Resources Will Jumpstart Mental Wellness Conversations with Students

Pearson Canada Supports Mental Wellness Initiative
With Teacher Lesson Plans

TORONTO, April 29, 2015 /CNW/ - Mental health is a vital concern in today's schools and communities. As a sponsor of the Canadian Mental Health Association, Pearson Canada understands that positive mental health is foundational to academic achievement, effective life skills, and overall well-being. To help jumpstart classroom conversations around mental health, the company today unveiled a selection of free classroom resources on topics ranging from connecting emotions and actions to building resilience to reducing stigma and defying labels.

"We all know students who are experiencing various challenges that impede their ability to learn, to relate, and to flourish. As educators, they need us to be fully present, mindful, caring, informed, and ready and able to help," said Linda Millar, a teacher, author and mental health advocate.

In support of Mental Health Week from May 4–10, Pearson Canada is offering teachers across the country the opportunity to download excerpts and lesson plans from selected titles in the Well Aware series for grades 4–8 that will help educators get the conversation started.

Each grade level in the Well Aware series features four titles written by acclaimed Canadian children's authors such as Deborah Ellis, Mahtab Narsimhan, Don Aker and Aboriginal authors Richard van Camp and Jacqueline Guest. Each title builds awareness of mental health issues and fosters discussion on a wide variety of topics related to emotional well-being.

"At Pearson, we believe that when learning flourishes, so do people and communities," said James Reeve, Managing Director, Pearson Canada. "I am thrilled our new Well Aware series provides teachers with a valuable resource for promoting thoughtful conversations about the importance of positive mental health."

About Pearson
Pearson is the world's leading learning company, with 40,000 employees in more than 80 countries working to help people of all ages to make measurable progress in their lives through learning. For more information about Pearson, visit www.pearson.com.

SOURCE Pearson Education

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