By Ewa Chwojko-Srawley
Supporting children’s health has never felt more important—or more complex.
That was the clear message from a recent session Building Healthy Kids, led by York Region Public Health (YRPH), part of a free Health and Wellness Education Series offered in partnership with the Town of Georgina and the Northern York South Simcoe Ontario Health Team.
According to Tracy Silva, YRPH School Services Manager, local assessments show that mental health challenges are the biggest concern for children and youth ages 6 to 24. Many young people are not meeting recommended guidelines for healthy eating, physical activity and sleep—three basics that play a major role in both physical and emotional well-being.
To help address these issues, YRPH offers a range of programs and services designed to help children build healthy habits early, and carry those habits into adulthood. Parents and caregivers can find easy-to-use resources, tips and strategies at york.ca/HealthyKids, while schools can access support through york.ca/HealthySchools.
The Building Healthy Kids session was one of ten in the Health and Wellness Education Series, which offers free, online and in-person learning opportunities for Georgina residents. The series is designed to connect the community with practical health information in a supportive, non-judgmental setting, and to give participants the chance to ask questions and learn what help is available locally.
The session was led by Sharlaine Murga, a registered dietitian with YRPH, and covered a wide range of topics, from school nutrition, to giving children a healthy start, to mental health support. It also covered concerns such as vaping among teenagers. While the challenges can feel overwhelming, the message was reassuring: there are many local resources available, and families are not alone.
That was exactly what drew Georgina resident Breanne Littley to attend. A new mom with a one-year-old, Littley said she wanted to learn what support is available now, and what might be ahead as her child grows.
“You don’t know what you don’t know,” she said. “This is my first baby, so I came to learn what’s available, what’s coming, and what resources are out there. It’s free, it’s good information, and it’s helpful.”
The takeaway from the session was simple: parents and caregivers are their children’s strongest health champions. With the right information and support, small everyday choices can make a big difference. And with resources like york.ca/HealthyKids, help is just a click away, year-round.
- Federal impact assessment not required for Georgina Island Fixed Link: IAAC - January 21, 2026
- New carbon monoxide rules are now in effect - January 19, 2026
- Building Healthy Kids: Practical Support for Families, Right When It’s Needed Most - January 18, 2026
