Need help now?

We don’t provide mental health advice, counselling, or treatment. If you or someone you know is in crisis, contact your local community crisis team. You can also reach out to the Indigenous Hope for Wellness Help Line 1-855-242-3310, the Black Youth Helpline 1-833-294-8650, or Kids Help Phone 1-800-668-6868.

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Supporting mental health at school

In Ontario, schools are the most common place where children and youth access mental health supports. Schools can be a place to promote positive mental health and school staff can notice and provide support when a student may need help. Working together - family, school and community, can go a long way in supporting your child’s overall well-being.

A serious young female therapy patient listens attentively to a caring female therapist

Helping your child build positive relationships and manage conflict

It’s human nature to want to feel loved, valued, and noticed by others, so it’s hardly surprising that there’s a direct link between our relationships and our health and well-being. As a parent/caregiver, you play an important role in helping your child to develop healthy relationships.

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Helping your child build positive relationships and manage conflict

How to help your child have a mentally healthy return to school

As students prepare to return to school or start at a new one, they may feel mixed emotions. It’s normal for both students and their parents or caregivers to feel excited and nervous during this transition.

This resource was created to assist parents and caregivers in navigating and supporting their children as they return to school. While “back to school” occurs in the fall each year, for some students, it may be after an extended absence or starting at a new school.

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How to help your child have a mentally healthy return to school

Supporting your child with school-related stress and anxiety

It is not uncommon for children to worry about school. School-related anxiety is different from worrying, it is an excessive fear of school and school activities, such as making friends, completing assignments/tests, or answering questions in class. For some children, the most significant source of anxiety can be school itself. Learn more about supporting and navigating your child’s stress and anxiety related to school.

Learn more about Supporting mental health at school
Supporting your child with school-related stress and anxiety

Understanding school mental health supports to help your child

It takes a village to raise a child, and that village includes schools. Building trusting relationships and ongoing communication between parents/caregivers and schools helps with learning, as well as student mental health. Education systems are complex; and at times navigating them can be challenging.

Learn more about Supporting mental health at school
Understanding school mental health supports to help your child