Mental Health and Well-Being for Schools

Mental health, or being mentally healthy, is the capacity to feel, think and act in ways that enhance our ability to enjoy life and deal with challenges or adversity. By participating in healthy school programs, children and youth develop positive coping skills, demonstrate resiliency, reduce stigma and improve social connectedness.  Students will also develop leadership skills and may feel more connected to their school community.

Mental Health Awareness

Elementary Student Mental Health Awareness Workshop

The one-hour (or two 30-minute) interactive workshop for students grades 4 to 8 is delivered virtually (by a Public Health Nurse/school staff) or in-class by school staff. The workshop is intended to educate students on stress, coping skills, mental health awareness and stigma reduction to help promote positive mental health within themselves and the school.

Contact your school’s Public Health Nurse or call Access York at 1-877-464-9675, TTY 1-866-512-6228 if you are interested in this workshop.

Lead On!

A Leadership Skill-Building Presentation for Grades 5 to 8 Students

The Lead On! Workshop teaches students in grades five to eight effective leadership strategies for motivating and engaging their peers in student-run school initiatives.

This interactive workshop is provided by a York Region Public Health Nurse and covers the following topics:  

  • Leadership
  • Communication
  • Conflict resolution
  • Decision-making
  • Stress
  • Motivation

Students who complete this workshop and implement these activities in their school will develop leadership skills, self-confidence and resilience.

Contact your school’s Public Health Nurse or call Access York at 1-877-464-9675, TTY 1-866-512-6228 if you are interested in this workshop.

Positive Mental Health, Resiliency and Stigma Reduction

Building Healthy Resilient Kids

Parents, caregivers, coaches and teachers all have a role to play in building a child’s resilience and confidence. Foster a child’s resiliency by believing in them and encouraging them to try new things and achieve their goals. Building positive relationships with children is important for them to grow up healthy and confident. Building Healthy Resilient Kids (60 second video)

Healthy School Student Clubs

The goal of Student Engagement and Leadership is to provide students with opportunities that will foster their development and build their resiliency. Student engagement is a planned process that prepares youth for the transition from childhood to adulthood. Programs are designed to enable students to participate in ways that best meet their specific developmental needs while helping them reach their full potential. The leadership skills students acquire now will help them make healthier decisions throughout their lives.

Healthy School Student Club (HSSC) members work closely with the Healthy School Committee to plan and lead activities to make their school a healthier place. Club members develop skills while having fun together. They know the work they do with the club makes a valuable and important difference in their school.

Students can:

  • Take on leadership roles and become actively involved in their schools
  • Talk to peers to find out what health issues and activities are important to them. Together they can find ways to make their suggestions and ideas come alive in their school
  • Contribute to the planning and implementation of the Healthy Schools Action Plan at their school
  • Participate in creating a school environment where every student feels like they belong
  • Use the Healthy School Mental Health and Well-Being Activity Guide to provide fun ideas and suggestions on how to implement mental health and well-being activities to promote positive mental health messages in your school.  

Contact your school’s Public Health Nurse or call Access York at 1-877-464-9675, TTY 1-866-512-6228 if you are interested in resources. 

External Resources