I Can Do Hard Things

G.L. Roberts CVI students learn to be resilient at the United We Stand Conference

The entire student body at G.L. Roberts CVI was buzzing with excitement on December 4th, as they participated in the 2nd Annual United We Stand Conference. This feel-good event promoted resiliency, community partnership and fostering hope among students and their families.

“Resiliency means you can bounce back when bad things happen to you,” says keynote speaker Dr. Robyne Hanley-Dafoe.

Dr. Hanley-Dafoe is an award-winning psychology instructor currently teaching at Trent University. She talked to the students about her research and case studies on resilience. She also discussed stress management and said the top three strategies to deal with stress are, to be in motion, through crying, and by eating a small amount of carbohydrates (1/2 of an Oreo cookie is usually enough).

Students rotated through various workshops during the day. They spoke with professionals who are G.L. Roberts alumni and they were introduced to community partners who provide services to youth and their families.

Bouncing Back

One of the workshops was about coping with stress, presented by DDSB’s Mental Health LeadSteffanie Pelleboer. “Gratefulness is the gateway drug to happiness,” Pelleboer said. At that moment, she asked the students with cellphones to pull them out and message someone they know and tell them that they are grateful for them.

 

Pelleboer said, “even the worse moment is just one moment in life.”  She added that there will always be hard times, but if they use coping techniques, they can and will bounce back.

 

Most of the students were highly engaged and often asked impactful questions during the discussions.

 

“I like it [the conference]. It helps and I think it’s a good way for students to learn about ways to deal with everything and it’s a good way for people to just get together,” says Grade 10 student Paige Valentine. “It’s a good way for everybody to talk to each other and discuss ideas, and find different ways to deal with school and other people.”

 

Dr. Hanley-Dafoe ended her presentation by telling everyone about how she found the strength to save herself from drowning when her car was submerged in an icy lake. She was reminded of a saying her mother drilled into her at an early age. Even though her situation was different than what some of the students may be facing, the message is the same, “I Can Do Hard Things.”

 

It was important for her to help them understand that sometimes they will face challenges, but that they can overcome them, if they work hard.

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