Positive mental health includes feeling content, being able to manage stress and having an overall sense of well-being. Schools can play an important role in promoting positive mental health by helping students learn how to navigate through stressful situations, develop and maintain healthy relationships and create healthy lifestyle behaviours (i.e., healthy eating, physical activity, sleep, etc.). Positive mental health can help students thrive academically, socially, physically and spiritually.

The following resources can be used by teachers to enhance their understanding of positive mental health and to inspire activities and strategies for the classroom and the school environment. For questions, contact Client and Community Support at 1-800-265-7293 ext. 7006 or email clientcommunitysupport@wdgpublichealth.ca.

School Programs

Youth Empowering Students for Mental Health (YES4MH) is a school-wide youth engagement mental health initiative for secondary schools. Visit the School Grant Opportunities page for more information.

Dreamwalkers Meditations is a program to assist and inspire student mental health and well-being through meditation and mindful minutes. Meditation videos, school trainings, teacher resources and more. For all grade levels.

The Outdoor Toolbox is about using outdoor experiences to promote vibrant classroom culture, positive interpersonal relationships, emotional regulation and academic success.

The Umbrella Project (Available at WCDSB) and Wellness Works (Available at UGDSB) provides educators with monthly wellness themes and skill-building to promote positive mental health.

Recommended Websites

Beyond Images provides lesson plans on media literacy, becoming more resilient to negative body image messaging in the media and building self-esteem. For Grades 4-8.

Dove Self-esteem Project provides lesson plans, activity sheets, workshop resources and videos on media influence and peer pressure, with a focus on promoting and building self-confidence and self-esteem. For Grades 6-8.

Education Programming offered by NEDIC (National Eating Disorder Information Centre) Virtual and in-person workshops for educators, students, and/or parents aiming to enhance eating disorder awareness and education.  

Everyday Mental Health Classroom Resource: Create mentally healthy classrooms with these simple mental health activities.   

Jack.org provides information and resources that help increase education, improve attitudes and change systems around mental health through online courses and presentations. Visit the edHUB for free activities, lessons and resources to support educators with mental health promotion education in the classroom.

Media Smarts: Canada's Centre for Digital Media Literacy. Find lesson plans, educational resources and self-guided workshops for educators, parents/guardians and youth. 

Ophea’s Ideas for Action provides easy-to-use activities and lesson plans on the topics of healthy eating, mental health and physical activity that can be modified for elementary or secondary students.

PREVNet, Canada's Healthy Relationships Hub, teaching resources, tools and videos addressing bullying and teen dating violence. For Grades 4-8.

School Mental Health Ontario provides evidence-informed information and resources relevant to your role, leadership and guidance about best practices in school mental health, mental health literacy, implementation coaching, resources, training and more.