Dear Grand Erie Families,
On behalf of Safe and Inclusive Schools and the Grand Erie District School Board, we offer our deepest and heartfelt sympathies to the Muslim community, and our staff, students, families and friends who are impacted by this senseless tragedy and loss of innocent lives. This act of extreme racial violence is a cruel reminder that racism exists here in Canada. We stand in solidarity with the local and extended Muslim communities at this difficult time and our thoughts are with all of those who have been affected.
Hate has no place in the Grand Erie District School Board community. We remain steadfast and resolute in our commitment to recognizing and eliminating racism, Islamophobia, and discrimination in all its forms at all Grand Erie sites, and especially in our schools. We are committed to providing safe, inclusive environments where students not only feel they belong, but that they are also valued.
We encourage you to reach out to the Muslim families, friends, students and staff that you know and share a message of support.
For those who are impacted by this event, the following are support resources that you can access or share with others.
Support Resources
- Naseeha – A confidential helpline to support the mental health for youth of Muslim faith that is available 7 days a week (12 pm to 12 am EST) by calling 1-866-NASEEHA (627-3342)
- Brant - Integrated Mental Health Crisis Services
- Phone support: 519-759-7188
- Walk-in Clinic: 255 Fairview Drive, Unit 1, Brantford
- Website: https://www.st-leonards.com/admh/programs/integrated-mental-health-crisis
- Woodview ‘Walk-In’ mental health clinics in Brantford-Brant are available by calling 519-752-5308 and press ‘0’ or text 226-920-4427 (not a crisis service).
- Haldimand-Norfolk- 24 Hour Crisis Services
- Phone: 1-866-327-3224
- Website: http://www.hnreach.on.ca/crisis-service-for-children-youth-families/
- The National Indian Residential School Crisis Line provides 24/7 support for residential school survivors and others who are affected: 1-866-925-4419.
- First Nations and Inuit Hope for Wellness Help Line: 1-855-242-3310
- Hope for Wellness Help Line in English, Ojibway/Anishinaabemowin, Plains Cree, Inuinnaqtun, Nunavik Ungava, Aipaii Nutaaq, Nunatsiavut, and North Baffin dialects https://www.sac-isc.gc.ca/eng/1576092599338/1576092641234
- Six Nations of the Grand River - Children and Youth Mental Health Crisis Line: 519-445-2204
- Mental Health Services: https://www.snhs.ca/mental-wellness/
- Mississauga of the Credit First Nation - Mental Health Contact and After-Hours Support from Monday to Friday from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm
- Phone: 905-536-7863
- Website: http://mncfn.ca
Thank you.