By Your Side
School Mental Health Ontario (SMH-ON) has launched By Your Side – a new parent/caregiver online resource hub and school-facing toolkit designed to support Ontario parents and caregivers in fostering their children’s mental health and well-being. By Your Side has been co-created with Ontario parents/caregivers and school mental health professionals, including extensive consultation by key stakeholder groups. It is part of a collaborative project supporting parent/caregiver mental health literacy that involves partners from First Peoples Wellness Circle, the Coalition for Child and Youth Mental Health, and Children’s Mental Health Ontario.
Background: Listening to Families, Building Solutions
The By Your Side hub and toolkit were created as part of an initiative supported by the Ontario Ministry of Education, through funding focused on increasing awareness, promoting wellness, and reducing stigma related to mental health concerns for parents/caregivers of Ontario students.
As part of this collaborative effort, the Coalition for Child and Youth Mental Health has played a key role in gathering parent/caregiver perceptions, supporting communication, and evaluating the initiative. For example, they hosted a provincial parent/caregiver survey to learn more about knowledge needs and learning preferences. This was followed by a series of focus groups to gather additional insights. 3,474 parents and caregivers participated in this information-gathering process. We heard directly from parents and caregivers about the challenges they face and the supports they need.
Key insights from these consultations revealed:
- A need for practical tools to help parents support their child’s mental wellness, and to recognize and respond to mental health challenges.
- A desire for trusted, evidence-based resources that address the diverse needs of families and build on their existing strengths and strategies.
- Requests for accessible formats, including videos, downloadable info sheets, and webinars, to fit busy family schedules.
Based on this feedback, we set out to co-design resources that would be seen as responsive, inclusive, and easy to use.
What You’ll Find in By Your Side
The By Your Side resource hub and toolkit offers a variety of tools and supports, including:
- Info sheets to address common challenges such as stress, anxiety, and transitions.
- Videos featuring practical strategies from Ontario parents/caregivers and mental health professionals for supporting mental health at home. (Coming soon)
- Webinars that dive deeper into mental health topics and offer opportunities for interaction. (Coming soon)
These resources are designed not only for parents and caregivers but also for school staff, ensuring a collaborative approach to student mental health support.
Next Steps: Explore and Share By Your Side!
We invite you to explore By Your Side today. Visit the hub, download the tools, and participate in upcoming webinars to support your child’s mental health and well-being.
Together, we can build stronger, healthier families and communities across Ontario.
Visit By Your Side Today: https://smho-smso.ca/parents-and-caregivers/
We want to hear from you!
Your input will help us to refine and expand the resources available in the learning hub. You can share your feedback and ideas with us by completing this brief survey. You can also reach out to us at info@smho-smso.ca. Together, we can continue building supports that meet the needs of every family.
Coming Soon!
Resources designed specifically for parents and caregivers who identify as Indigenous
In partnership with First Peoples Wellness Circle, stay tuned for more information on these supportive, culturally-specific resources, designed in consultation with First Nations, Metis, and Inuit parents and caregivers.
Resources designed to support parents/caregivers when their child is experiencing a mental health problem
SMH-ON is working in partnership with Children’s Mental Health Ontario, Parents for Children’s Mental Health to provide resources to parents/caregivers across the continuum of support. By Your Side offers wellness promotion and early identification/support resources for parents/caregivers, to align with the role of schools related to mental health promotion, prevention, and early intervention. Children’s Mental Health Ontario’s resources are focused on support for parents/caregivers of children and youth with existing mental health challenges. Consult the Family Resource Hub at CMHO for more information about these resources. If you need help now, click here to locate help in your region or consider connecting with One Stop Talk.
How can I find professional support for my child?
At school: There are many people who can provide support at school. You can speak to your child’s classroom teacher or another school staff member with whom you feel comfortable. Ontario schools offer assessment, brief prevention and early intervention services from social work and psychology staff.
In the community: if more support is needed, school staff or your family doctor can connect your child with mental health services. If you do not have a family doctor/nurse practitioner, please visit https://www.ontario.ca/page/find-family-doctor-or-nurse-practitioner to get connected.
You can also contact:
Children’s Mental Health Ontario – to access free mental health treatment in your area, including walk-in clinics (virtual and in-person), ongoing counselling and therapy, and intensive and specialized treatment. No referrals necessary.
One Stop Talk – to instantly connect with a therapist from anywhere in Ontario to create a plan and access additional support when needed.
Youth Wellness Hubs Ontario – to access a range of services in several Ontario communities. Free services can be easily accessed by walk-in or appointment.
Supporting a child experiencing a mental health problem can be challenging; consider reaching out for your own support. Contact Parent’s for Children’s Mental Health to connect with other parents and caregivers going through similar experiences.