Connect Quest
Connect Quest is a set of ready-to-use student-informed activities and supportive resources. It is designed to help students in grades 4–8 build connections that promote balanced device use and substance use health.
Why is Connect Quest important?
Connection supports well-being: Research shows that feeling connected, whether to peers, trusted adults or nature is a protective factor for mental health.
Support for healthy choices: Activities encourage balanced device habits and substance use health by building life skills such as coping, problem-solving and relationship-building.
Student-centered approach: The resource was developed with student input to help ensure relevance and engagement.
How to use Connect Quest
Individual student use: “Connect with yourself” activities can be done independently to reflect on emotions, build wellness habits, and work towards personal goals.
Classroom integration: Educators and student support staff can embed activities into lessons, group opportunities or clubs.
Student-led initiatives: Alongside caring adults at school, students can create a “Quest” or campaign where they choose, adapt and lead Connect Quest activities across their school to promote connection, balanced device use and substance use health. Quests can be carried out over several months, or over a short period of time (e.g., daily activities during Mental Health Week in May).
Family engagement: Parents and caregivers can use activities at home to support healthy routines and conversations about device use and substance use.
Implementation tools
Oberle, E., Ji, X. R., Kerai, S., Guhn, M., Schonert-Reichl, K. A., & Gadermann, A.M. (2020). Screen time and extracurricular activities as risk and protective factors for mental health in adolescence: A population-level study. Preventive Medicine, 141, 106291. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ypmed.2020.106291
Public Health Agency of Canada. (2021). Blueprint for action: Preventing substance-related harms among youth through a comprehensive school health approach. https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/publications/healthy-living/blueprint-for-action-preventing-substance-related-harms-youth-comprehensive-school-health.html
Public Health Agency of Canada. (2025). Young people in Canada: Focus on mental health (HBSC 2022–23). https://www.canada.ca/en/publichealth/services/publications/science-research-data/young-people-canada-focusmental-health.html
Public Health Agency of Canada. (2025). Outdoor physical activity, mental health, life satisfaction, and happiness among Canadian adolescents. https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/reports-publications/healthpromotion-chronic-disease-prevention-canada-research-policy-practice/vol-45-no7-8-2025/outdoor-physical-activity-mental-health-life-satisfaction-happiness-lifestress-canadian-adolescents.html
Raniti, M., Rakesh, D., Patton, G. C., et al. (2022). The role of school connectedness in the prevention of youth depression and anxiety: A systematic review with youth consultation. BMC Public Health, 22(1), 2152. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-022-14364-6