Media

MAKING MENTAL HEALTH CARE EASIER TO ACCESS

The Globe and Mail, November 13, 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic is taking a toll on the mental health of Canadians, intensifying a mental health and addiction crisis that was already in progress. Mental health teams are responding to this critical need, adapting programs and fast-tracking the development of online tools. One such initiative is Waypoint Centre for Mental Health Care’s research study on virtual mindfulness programs for youth and frontline workers; two populations at a heightened risk during the pandemic.

GEORGIAN PARTNERS WITH WAYPOINT ON MENTAL HEALTH PROJECTS FOR HEALTH-CARE WORKERS

Barrie Today, Nov 6, 2020

Georgian College is using $150,000 in applied research grants in partnership with Waypoint Centre for Mental Health Care for two projects that aim to benefit health-care workers. The funding comes from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Council of Canada special College and Community Innovation Program – Applied Research Rapid Response to COVID-19 fund. All projects are intended to address topics of immediate relevance to the COVID-19 outbreak.

CANADIAN ‘MINDFUL COP’ OFFERS TOOLS TO CHANGE POLICING

MEL SELLICK , Contributor. Mindful Media Leader & Chief Media Architect, ReFrame Network

The York Regional Police partnered with Mindfulness Without Borders (MWB), an organization based in Toronto, Canada, that teaches mindfulness-based social and emotional learning programs all over the world. "My goal for policing is to say, here’s a tool for you. You have all these other things on your belt. You have a gun, handcuffs, pepper spray, and I’m not advocating taking any of that away. All I’m telling you is, if you were actually to take a step back and take a breath prior to any interaction you’re dealing with, it may save a life. It may save your life. It may save that individual’s life. It may save someone else’s life down the road.”

GLOBAL MINDS FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM FEATURING MWB'S MINDFULNESS AMBASSADOR PROGRAM

Dr. Arlene MacDougall, Director of Global MINDS

“The Global MINDS Fellowship Program (GMFP) is a year-long opportunity for highly qualified students from low- and middle-income countries and Canada with diverse academic backgrounds and skills to collaborate in international transdisciplinary teams to create innovative and impactful solutions for the wicked problem of reducing the global burden of mental disorders and related issues (e.g., suicide).”

HAVERGAL CHRONICLE: THEO KOFFLER IN CONVERSATION WITH LOUISE PARK MACMILLAN

Theo Koffler for Havergal Chronicle

“Theo Koffler 1972 has pushed the edges in a non-traditional career and has done her utmost to make this world a better place for all.”

SCHOOL’S OUT FOR THE SUMMER. WHY AREN’T TEENS MORE CHILL?

Theo Koffler for Mindful.org

Unaddressed anxiety has a different impact on young minds—that’s why it’s important to confront our own fears in a mindful way while providing resources for our teens.

WHAT REALLY MATTERS: SELF-ACCEPTANCE AS THE KEY TO SUCCESS

Theo Koffler for The Learning Exchange

If I could go back and tell my teenage self just one thing, it would be: “Relax, stop trying so hard! You’re good enough just as you are.” If I’d known then what I know now, I’d have forgiven myself when I faltered, stopped self-limiting thoughts in their tracks, learned to accept the reality of a situation, and sought mentorship rather than keeping my insecurities and anxieties stuffed inside.

THE ART OF EASING INTO CHANGE

Theo Koffler for Mindful.org

Change is inevitable, yet it’s often met with resistance. Through mindfulness, we can cultivate an attitude of acceptance, and regain some agency.

HOW GRATITUDE HELPS US GET BETTER AT DEALING WITH CHANGE

Theo Koffler for Mindful.org

The surest way back from a negative outlook: actively focus on things that fulfill you.

THREE TIPS FOR RAISING RESILIENT TEENS

Theo Koffler for Mindful.org

The teen years are tumultuous, but as adolescents test boundaries and become a bit defiant, it also lays the groundwork for a sense of purpose and individuality. Here’s how parents can help teens thrive.

10 IMPORTANT CAUSES WE CAN MAKE A PROGRESS ON IN THE NEXT DECADE

Huffington Post

This month, The Huffington Post will celebrate our 10-year anniversary. While we are proud of our past and what the HuffPost family has accomplished together, our eyes are fixed on the next 10 years both for journalism and for our global community of readers.

MAKING A CASE FOR TEACHING MINDFULNESS TO YOUTH

Theo Koffler for Huffington Post

In cooperation with our longstanding partner, Crowdrise, The Huffington Post is celebrating its 10 year anniversary by focusing on the promise of the next 10 years ahead. Were highlighting causes that are near and dear to our ethos causes where we believe meaningful strides can be made in the coming decade and empowering readers to act and take part.

HOW MINDFULNESS HAS CHANGED THE WAYS AMERICANS LEARN AND WORK

Carolyn Gregoire and Joy Resmovits for Huffington Post

NEW YORK On a typical school day, the students at DREAM Charter School in Harlem dont return from recess to lessons in reading, writing or math. Instead, they walk up to the third floor of the cinder-block school building, enter a darkened classroom, lie down and belly breathe.

EDUCATION FOR THE 21ST CENTURY

Lee-Anne Gray Psy.D for Huffington Post

Mindfulness based education for children and teens requires specialized training, delivery, awareness, and skill. It can seem as easy as implementing one simple lesson in a classroom, but to truly hold space for the powerful development that can occur requires very special attention and skill.

THE ART AND PRACTICE OF MINDFUL LISTENING

Theo Koffler for The Chopra Center

Listening seems like a natural skill, yet it requires attention and practice to stay present and truly hear what another person is communicating. The mind tends to wander, and our internal narratives and busy thoughts fragment our attention and sap our ability to stay focused in the moment. Our emotions can also interfere with our ability to listen.

GRATITUDE 365

Theo Koffler for The Chopra Center

Last week, I was in the grocery store when I came across a rack of Fathers Day greeting cards. As I looked through the cards honoring dads, I started to think about how occasions like Fathers Day, birthdays, and anniversaries typically prompt us to celebrate special people in our lives. Theyre a chance to reflect on how important these individuals are to us and how they have impacted us.

ADVANCING WELLNESS AT HOME AND ABROAD

Sister Jenna at American Meditating Radio

Listen in as MWB founder, Theo Koffler, shares her take on mindfulness at home and abroad during an interview with Sister Jenna of American Meditating Radio.

A MINDFUL APPROACH TO CHANGING THE WORLD

Hayley Samuelson for CatchAFire

More often than not in the social good sector attention is focused so fully on the well-being of others that we end up neglecting our own. Though honorable, living and working in this way isnt sustainable. CatchAFire caught up with Theo to learn how for-purpose leaders can integrate mindfulness into their lives so that they can begin thriving rather than simply surviving.

YOUTH AND MINDFULNESS AT TCDSB

Dianne Banasco for the Ontario Association for Social Workers

Students and Teachers uncover the benefits of bringing mindfulness-based social-emotional learning using the Mindfulness Ambassador Council Program at TCDSB.

THEO KOFFLER USES MINDFULNESS TO BREAK THE BONDS THAT BIND US

Martin C. Winer for Good News Toronto, Dec 1, 2009

“Theo Koffler has chosen to view the world at the human level in the space between four eyes where we connect with and express ourselves to others.”

A BEAUTIFUL MIND

Sheila Dropkin for Lifestyles Magazine, Pre-Spring 2011

“After crisscrossing the globe, Toronto’s Theo Koffler is hooking kids on the idea that peace begins between four eyes.”

CAN PEACE GROW IN NEWARK

Mary Mann for Maplewood Patch, August 12, 2011

“A new anti-violence effort connects Newark, Maplewood, South Orange and Rwanda, Uganda, Toronto, San Francisco…”