Growing Minds Support Services

07/17/2025

🌟🌟We’re thrilled to share that Growing Minds Support Services has been nominated for Best Counselling Services in Kawartha Lakes through Community Votes, and we need your support!

If you’ve found value in our work together, whether through counselling, or navigating life’s challenges, we would be so grateful if you’d take a moment to vote for us.

Your vote not only uplifts our small, locally owned practice, but also helps raise awareness about the importance of mental health services for children, youth, and families in our community.

🗳️ Vote here:

Official 2025 Community Voting Awards Platform for Kawarthas, ON. Where the community votes for their favourites every year.

07/04/2025

TLDSB students can connect with a mental health counsellor over the summer Here is the booking link!

https://calendar.google.com/calendar/appointments/schedules/AcZssZ1Ax7D3CkdDmFz1SRLL5v3i5o9RVQygpLltY5_X5GHmO6m3AQK4hW4f6JGKgILBWkw7igqkabL0?fbclid=IwQ0xDSwLVRjdleHRuA2FlbQEwAGFkaWQBqyLet84TbAEeSp0mpu8_8vUUmOOLinwUuYijWol9AphAxbDWXz7MkSTWrAK1G0f9fZts2MI_aem_FmnIa0jqbgOnEUr_8RbaQg

05/29/2025

The Dunsford & District Lions Club would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to our amazing sponsors for their support of our annual Mothers Day car show event. We were thrilled to see such a fantastic turnout of vehicles and to serve breakfast to a tremendous amount of people. None of this would have been possible without the dedication and hard work of our incredible volunteers, who put in endless hours to make this event a total success. Thanks to their efforts, we are able to continue supporting those in need in our community. To everyone who joined us for a delicious meal and a fun show, we are grateful for your presence and hope to see you again next year.

05/22/2025

💖 We are excited to offer this group program for teens in the Kawartha Lakes area. Let us know if you’re interested in hearing more or would like to register. 💖

05/22/2025

We’ve had some requests for an older age Lego group. DM us if you are interested in a registration form.

05/22/2025

🌟✨Our first LEGO group was so successful we are running another. Limited spaces available please DM if you are interested in our registration form. ✨🌟

05/08/2025

🚨Kids are always watching, listening, and learning, especially from us. When we avoid talking about mental health, kids notice. They might start to believe that big feelings are something to hide or feel ashamed of.

This Mental Health Awareness Week, let’s change the narrative.

By talking openly and honestly about feelings, we teach kids that:
• It’s okay to ask for help.
• Emotions aren’t “bad” or “wrong.”
• Everyone struggles sometimes, and that’s normal.

Here’s how to break the stigma early:
• Use simple language: Say things like “Your feelings matter” or “It’s okay to feel sad sometimes.”
• Be curious, not judgmental: When your child is upset, ask why instead of rushing to “calm them down.”
• Share your own experiences: “I was really nervous before my meeting today, so I took some deep breaths.”

When we break the stigma early, we raise kids who know it’s strong to seek support and brave to share their feelings. 💚

05/06/2025

Visit Fresh FueLL starting Saturday May 10th to get your kiddo a smoothie! Acts of kindness play a significant role in nurturing my mental well-being. Let's Pay it forward and make a positive impact this week. 💚💛 Fresh FueLL

05/06/2025

Small moments = BIG impact.

It only takes 5 minutes to make a difference in your child’s emotional world.

Here’s how you can build small but meaningful check-ins into your day:
• Car chats: Use drive time or school drop-offs to ask, “What’s one good thing and one hard thing about today?”

• Bedtime talks: Set aside 5–10 minutes at night to talk without distractions , no phones, no rushing, just connection.

• Lunchbox notes or sticky notes: Write a little encouragement they can discover during the day (“You are brave!” or “I’m proud of you”).

• Play together: Even a short game, craft, or LEGO session builds trust and connection.

• Listen without fixing: Sometimes the best gift is just listening, not jumping in with solutions.

Remember: Kids don’t need hours of serious conversation every day, small, regular moments of connection add up in powerful ways.

05/05/2025

Big feelings can feel overwhelming, but they’re never “too much.”

At Growing Minds, we help kids name, understand, and navigate their emotions.

Here are a few simple tips you can try this week:

• Name the feeling: Help your child put words to what they’re feeling, “It looks like you’re feeling frustrated because the game didn’t go the way you wanted.” Try using this feel wheel to select the emotion!

• Co-regulate first, problem-solve later: When emotions run high, focus first on calming down together, hug, breathe, or sit quietly, before jumping into solutions.

• Model emotional expression: Let your child see you talk about your feelings in healthy ways, “I’m feeling a bit overwhelmed, so I’m going to take a deep breath.”

• Celebrate small wins: Notice and praise moments when your child manages a tough feeling, “You were really upset, but you took space to calm down. That was brave!”

Mental Health Awareness Week is a great time to remember: You are allowed to feel, and you don’t have to do it alone!

05/05/2025

It’s Mental Health Awareness Week! 🧠🪴💚

At Growing Minds, we believe that big feelings deserve big attention.

This week, let’s shine a light on:
• Helping kids understand their emotions
• Building resilience one conversation at a time
• Reminding every child they are seen, heard, and valued

Small moments, like asking “How are you feeling today?” can make a big difference.

Encourage your child to share 3 positives about their day

Let’s work together to break the stigma, open the conversation, and build a world where kids’ mental health matters every single day.

Follow us this week for tips, activities, and ways to support the young minds in your life!

10/30/2024

Know the difference, it could help drive the proper type of treatment.