Mental health is more than the absence of mental illness, it’s a positive sense of well-being and the capacity to enjoy life and deal with the challenges we face. Teachers can play an important role in promoting positive mental health among students by creating a safe and caring school environment, encouraging engagement, promoting physical health, and by building student resiliency and coping skills.
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 our Client Community Support Call Centre at 1-800-265-7293 ext. 7006 (M-F, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.) or email clientcommunitysupport@wdgpublichealth.ca.
Community Services
Here 24/7
The intake line to addictions, mental health and crisis services in Waterloo Wellington. Services are available for children, youth and adults. Call 1-844-HERE-247 or visit www.here247.ca.
Dufferin Child and Family Services (DCAFS)
Intake line for mental health services for children and youth living in Dufferin County. Call 519-941-1530 or visit www.dcafs.on.ca.
Kids Help Phone
Telephone and online confidential counselling and referrals for children and youth. Call 1-800-668-6868 or visit kidshelpphone.ca.
Black Youth Help Line
Multicultural point of contact designed to support and connect youth with professional services. Aims to support education, bridge cultures and form connections. Call 1-833-294-8650 (everyday 9 a.m.-10 p.m.) or visit blackyouth.ca.
Indigenous Hope for Wellness Help Line
Telephone counselling and crisis intervention for indigenous peoples across Canada. Available 24 hours/day, 7 days/week. Call 1-855-242-3310 (service available in English/French and on request, in Cree/Ojibway/Inuktitut) or visit hopeforwellness.ca.
LGBT Youth Line
Call 1-800-268-9688 or text 647-694-4275 for peer support (Sunday to Friday, 4:00 p.m-9:30 p.m.). Visit youthline.ca for a safe space of support for members of the LGBTQQ2SI community.
Metis Nation of Ontario (MNO) Mental Health and Addictions Crisis Line
Telephone support for mental health and addiction for adults, youths and families. Call 1-877-767-7572 (English/French). Available 24 hours/day, 7 days/week.
Recommended Websites
Information, free online courses and activities on anxiety, positive thinking, relaxation and developing healthy habits for children, youth and adults. Evidence-based anxiety relief offered through free MindShift CBT App.
Lesson plans for Grades 4-8 on media literacy, becoming more resilient to negative body image messaging in the media, and building self-esteem. Developed by the National Eating Disorder Information Centre (NEDIC).
Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA)
Information and resources on stress, positive mental health and mental illness.
Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH)
Information, online tutorials and handouts about mental health, mental illnesses, substance use, addiction, and supporting oneself and others.
Stress Lessons Toolkits by the Psychology Foundation of Canada
Lessons and activities to help students understand, identify and manage stress in healthy ways. Toolkits available for Grades 1-3, 4-6, 7-9, 9-12. Access to newsletters, podcasts, parenting articles, Covid-19 pandemic-related mental health tools, self-care ideas, videos, tips and strategies for parents, children and teens.
Supporting Minds: An Educator’s Guide to Promoting Students’ Mental Health and Well-being (PDF, 3.6 MB, 154 pages)
An Ontario Ministry of Education K-12 teacher resource about the early signs of mental health issues with strategies that can be used in the classroom.
Practical tools for teachers about creating healthy spaces, promoting belonging, building resilience and mental health literacy.