Mental Health

Mental health is more than the absence of a mental illness. Mental health is a state of well-being where a person can realize their abilities, cope with the stresses of life, and have the ability to work productively and contribute to their community (WHO, 2022).

The school environment is an important setting for students of all ages. Schools play a large role in influencing outcomes for children and youth given, the powerful influence that teacher support and peer networks have within the educational setting. Students who have positive physical and emotional health are more likely to experience success.

Positive mental health is the capacity to feel and act in ways that increase our ability to enjoy life, realize our own potential, deal with challenges, and contribute to society (Government of Canada, 2022). Schools have an important job to play in developing environments that assist and build students’ ability to succeed and thrive, and where they can experience hope even when they are also being positively challenged.

Positive mental health in schools has been linked to positive outcomes in children and youth, particularly when schools implement positive mental health concepts and practices (Joint Consortium for School Health). Some outcomes include:

  • Academic success
  • Development of positive and safe relationships
  • Increased participation in recreational activities
  • Skills to manage emotions
  • Age-appropriate autonomy and choice making
  • Fewer behavioural issues
  • Positive social attitudes and behaviours
  • Healthy lifestyle behaviours

According to the Ontario Student Drug Use and Health Survey, 2021, only one-third (33.5%) of Ontario students in grades 7 to 12 report that they have very good or excellent mental or emotional health. In Windsor-Essex County, 45% of students felt nervous, anxious, or on edge in most days in the last 2 weeks; 29% felt depressed most days in the last week; and 61% report that their life is purposeful and meaningful (COMPASS, 2022). With these numbers in mind, it is important to consider how classrooms and school environments can support and facilitate positive mental health for their students.

Using the Ministry of Education’s Foundations for a Healthy School framework, schools, school boards, parents and community partners can work together to develop healthy school environments that promote and support student well-being.

Mental Health resources and supports are organized below following this framework.


Resources & Information for:

Empower student groups, such as student council or student wellness council, to actively participate in identifying school needs and develop activities to address those needs.

  • RNAO’s- Youth Mental Health and Addictions Champions Initiative Toolkit: Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario (RNAO) partnered with public health units, School Boards, SMH ASSIST and provincial youth based organizations to develop a peer based youth mental health initiative. The partnership resulted in the development of the toolkit to support the dissemination and implementation of evidence-based, youth-led mental health promotion and substance misuse prevention initiatives in school settings. The toolkit, includes guiding frameworks, how to build your team, youth training content, event planning, and evaluation tips.
  • Ophea Ideas for Action: Mental Health- Can be used in conjunction with the Ophea Healthy Schools Certification, or as a starting point to encourage students, to start conversations about topics related to mental health in your school and community. This guide provides key information about existing programs and resources, tips for getting started, things to consider, sources of support in your community, in Ontario, and across Canada, and activity ideas in the following areas:
  • WECHU- Wellness or Kindness Calendars:  the health unit has provided a ready-made Mental Health Wellness Calendar as part of the Healthy Schools Mental Health Toolkit. This calendar provides daily activities to make positive mental health a habit for both elementary and secondary students.  You can use this calendar in your classroom or school, or use the blank template to create your own.
  • School Mental Health Ontario- Inspirational Graffiti: Use sidewalk chalk in front of the school or in schoolyard to create messages. Ideas for themes can be found in under the Social and Physical Environment Section.
  • School Wellness Bulletin Board - Use school bulletin boards (physical/virtual) to post student mental health/wellness messages throughout the year and encourage contributions from students in form of writing, drawing, or other artistic measures. Here are some themes and ideas for the classroom:
  • School Mental Health Ontario- End of Day Activity: Stress management and coping activity from SMHO to help students focus their attention, calm feelings of anxiety, and manage stress as end of school day (can modify based on developmental level).
  • SMHO- Creating Classroom Norms: To establish norms and to identify what matters to students as a group/classroom (all ages).
  • Create a list of acts of kindness with the students. Post this list in the classroom for the month. Encourage students to use words from the list in oral and written communication work, drama, art.

Support in the Community

  • Windsor-Essex County Health Unit- Where to Get Help: a list of local services for youth in Windsor-Essex County.
  • Windsor-Essex County Youth Services Card: provides contact information to local services for youth in Windsor-Essex County.
  • Youth Wellness Hub – For youth aged 12-25 offering walk-in mental health services, substance use and addiction services, access to a Nurse Practitioner for primary care, and community social services.  The Youth Wellness Hub also offers recreational activities and peer support. Services available in Windsor and Leamington locations
  • WEConnectKids: a partnership between the five core service providers for child and youth mental health and addiction services in Windsor/Essex. It is a free, confidential mental health service for children, youth, and families who live in Windsor-Essex.
  • Mental Health and Addiction Nurse: 519-258-8211 or 1-888-447-4468- High school students can call to talk about alcohol, cannabis, opioids, or other substances. A school, hospital, or community agency can also refer online or by calling the number above.
  • Triple P Positive Parenting Program: offers information, support, and practical answers to everyday parenting concerns. Seminars and group courses are available for a number of topics.

Additional Support and Resources

Support in the Community

  • Windsor-Essex County Health Unit- Where to Get Help: a list of local services for youth in Windsor-Essex County.
  • Windsor-Essex County Youth Services Card: provides contact information to local services for youth in Windsor-Essex County.
  • Youth Wellness Hub – For youth aged 12-25 offering walk-in mental health services, substance use and addiction services, access to a Nurse Practitioner for primary care, and community social services.  The Youth Wellness Hub also offers recreational activities and peer support. Services available in Windsor and Leamington locations
  • WEConnectKids: a partnership between the five core service providers for child and youth mental health and addiction services in Windsor/Essex. It is a free, confidential mental health service for children, youth, and families who live in Windsor-Essex.
  • Mental Health and Addiction Nurse: 519-258-8211 or 1-888-447-4468- High school students can call to talk about alcohol, cannabis, opioids, or other substances. A school, hospital, or community agency can also refer online or by calling the number above.
  • Triple P Positive Parenting Program: offers information, support, and practical answers to everyday parenting concerns. Seminars and group courses are available for a number of topics.

Additional Support and Resources

Empower student groups, such as student council or student wellness council, to actively participate in identifying school needs and develop activities to address those needs.

  • RNAO’s- Youth Mental Health and Addictions Champions Initiative Toolkit: Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario (RNAO) partnered with public health units, School Boards, SMH ASSIST and provincial youth based organizations to develop a peer based youth mental health initiative. The partnership resulted in the development of the toolkit to support the dissemination and implementation of evidence-based, youth-led mental health promotion and substance misuse prevention initiatives in school settings. The toolkit, includes guiding frameworks, how to build your team, youth training content, event planning, and evaluation tips.
  • Ophea Ideas for Action: Mental Health- Can be used in conjunction with the Ophea Healthy Schools Certification, or as a starting point to encourage students, to start conversations about topics related to mental health in your school and community. This guide provides key information about existing programs and resources, tips for getting started, things to consider, sources of support in your community, in Ontario, and across Canada, and activity ideas in the following areas:
  • WECHU- Wellness or Kindness Calendars:  the health unit has provided a ready-made Mental Health Wellness Calendar as part of the Healthy Schools Mental Health Toolkit. This calendar provides daily activities to make positive mental health a habit for both elementary and secondary students.  You can use this calendar in your classroom or school, or use the blank template to create your own.
  • School Mental Health Ontario- Inspirational Graffiti: Use sidewalk chalk in front of the school or in schoolyard to create messages. Ideas for themes can be found in under the Social and Physical Environment Section.

Support in the Community

  • Windsor-Essex County Health Unit- Where to Get Help: a list of local services for youth in Windsor-Essex County.
  • Windsor-Essex County Youth Services Card: provides contact information to local services for youth in Windsor-Essex County.
  • Youth Wellness Hub – For youth aged 12-25 offering walk-in mental health services, substance use and addiction services, access to a Nurse Practitioner for primary care, and community social services.  The Youth Wellness Hub also offers recreational activities and peer support. Services available in Windsor and Leamington locations
  • WEConnectKids: a partnership between the five core service providers for child and youth mental health and addiction services in Windsor/Essex. It is a free, confidential mental health service for children, youth, and families who live in Windsor-Essex.
  • Mental Health and Addiction Nurse: 519-258-8211 or 1-888-447-4468- High school students can call to talk about alcohol, cannabis, opioids, or other substances. A school, hospital, or community agency can also refer online or by calling the number above.
  • Triple P Positive Parenting Program: offers information, support, and practical answers to everyday parenting concerns. Seminars and group courses are available for a number of topics.

Additional Support and Resources