Learning Opportunities

A workshop to explore how school nutrition can promote positive mental health in students (and staff).

Session Outline:

• Key note Presentation (Why and How to Promote Better Diets for Mental Health)
• Alberta Youth Advisory Council Peer Consultation Report: Nutrition Issues Facing Youth
• Hands on Discovery of School Nutrition Resources
• Food at My School! A Facilitated Discussion
• Closing Remarks

Keynote Description:

As more and more young people are struggling with mental health issues in our schools, now is the time to learn more about controllable factors that contribute to mental health. Can nutrients contribute to brain development? Can nutrients improve mental health symptoms?  
The future of mental health will hopefully shift away from medication (especially in children) and toward prevention and lifestyle treatments. A big part of that change should be NUTRITION (and also psychotherapy, social support, meditation, exercise, etc.).  
In this presentation, participants will learn about what, exactly, nutrients do to optimize brain function, and also about the growing body of scientific research showing the importance of nutrition for brain health --- including mental function.