Winhawk Wellness
Family Newsletter, October 2022
Celebrate Global Diversity Awareness Month and Cultural Wellness!
Global Diversity Awareness Month every October is a reminder of the positive impact a diverse culture of people can have on society as a whole.
‘Global diversity’ refers to the range of differences that describe the composition of a group of two or more people, in a cross-cultural and multi-national context. Many organizations and people believe that positively viewing and appreciating global diversity will allow us to adopt more inclusive practices around the world.
Why Global Diversity Awareness Month is Important
Our differences make us unique.
- If one person knows how to make the best pancakes and another knows the knowledge to make maple syrup, wouldn’t it be beneficial to combine the knowledge of both parties? This is also how diversity in cultures, languages, and nations can help society become the strongest.
Experiencing other cultures is exciting, eye-opening, and enjoyable.
- Taking the time with your children to get to know another culture’s traditions and history, especially if you can bond with people who are familiar with their ancestral heritage, is a gift in itself.
Differing opinions, and new cultural traditions and ideas, expand our minds.
- Listening is a key component of learning. You likely live in a town, city, or area with people who don’t share exactly the same cultural, religious, political, or general world views that you do. Encourage asking questions and listening to different perspectives. In doing so, you never know how your personal perspectives may change.
Building Cultural Wellness in Children
Children’s connection to their culture develops through their experiences. Having a strong sense of their own cultural history and traditions helps children build a positive cultural identity for themselves. This also supports children’s sense of belonging and self-esteem.
Children can ask the most challenging questions, sometimes during inconvenient times. During these times, take it as an opportunity to increase your child’s understanding of other cultures.
By helping your child understand and respect similarities and differences you will also help your child to understand who they are in the context of your race, ethnic group, culture, religion, language and familial history. In doing so, you will provide your child with personally meaningful information and also introduce concepts from anthropology, history, religion, geography, etc.
Ideas to celebrate Global Diversity and Cultural Wellness!
There are many ways to celebrate diversity. You can make your own, or use one of these ideas:
- Host a multicultural movie night with foreign films,
- attend a cultural art exhibit,
- enjoy music from different parts of the world, or
- support minority-owned businesses.
The most important thing is to respect people of all origins and ethnicities and remember how diversity positively enhances our lives.
Learn With Project FINE!
Other Wellness News
Mental Illness Awareness Week is October 3rd-8th
Join NAMI Minnesota for Mental Illness Awareness Week! They will be offering classes every day that week:
- Coping with Kids: 10/3, 6:30-7:30pm. Register here
- Mental Health 101 for Spanish Speakers: 10/4, 12:00-1:00pm. Register here
- Trauma Reactions and Post Traumatic Growth in Children and Youth: 10/5, 12:00-1:00pm. Register here
- Understanding Early Episode Psychosis for Families: 10/6, 6:00-8:00pm. Register here
- Family Medical Leave Act: 10/7, 11:00-12:00pm. Register here
- Self-Care and Mindfulness: 10/8, 11:00-12:00pm. Register here
NAMI Minnesota Parent Warmline
Many parents feel isolated and overwhelmed by their child’s behaviors or mental illnesses and don’t know where to start or to whom they can talk. If you feel this way and don’t have time to attend support groups and classes or even make a phone call, contact the parent email warmline at NAMI Minnesota to connect with a parent peer specialist.
Email us at parent.resources@namimn.org.
Please note this is not a crisis line. For a mental health crisis or emergency always contact your county crisis team or 911.
This newsletter is brought to you by the WAPS Wellness Committee. Have an interesting topic or idea to contribute? Email Jackie Henderson at jacqueline.henderson@winona.k12.mn.us