Good mental health is something we all want for ourselves, our friends, our family, and others in our community. Take the time to care for your own mental health. Some of the things we do for our physical health like getting enough sleep, eating well, and minimizing screen time are also good for our mental health.

How do you ask for help?

Asking for help seems like a big step, but it isn’t as hard as it seems. Once you have decided to ask, and have an idea of who you will approach, it is a matter of finding a few words to start off with. The rest usually falls into place because you are then sharing with a caring adult.

Here are some conversation starters:

• "I haven't been feeling well lately, and I think I need some help."
• "Things haven't been going well for me. I need some help to turn things around."
• "I can't seem to get past the feelings I'm having. I wanted to reach out before things get worse."
• “I don’t know if you can help me, but I’m hoping you can help me to find someone who can. I’m worried that I have a problem with my mental health.”
• “I’m not good at asking for help, and I wish I didn’t have to, but I don’t think I can handle this alone. Can you help me?”

Student Mental Health Resources

Video Series: Social-Emotional Learning: Social-emotional learning (SEL) describes the process of developing and practicing skills that help us to thrive throughout life. SEL targets six domains where knowledge and skills can be developed. 

Watch the videos to learn more and discover why it is helpful in everyday life.

Self-Care Resources

Self-Care 101 for Students: Self-care is an important part of wellness. Take time and discover what helps you to feel good and recharge. Self-care 101 for students.

Help-Seeking Resources

Reaching Out: You might be thinking problems are important or big enough to talk to anyone about or I’m worried I might be labelled or that people might judge me. Reaching out resource.

No Problem Too Big or Too Small: We all have mental health and talking about things is one of the ways we can take care of it. Reaching out for help.

Substance Use Resources

Opioids: What you and your friends need to know: You may have heard people talking about opioids and fentanyl in the news lately. Here’s an Info sheet about opioids.

Vaping: What you and your friends need to know: Vaping has health risks. It exposes you to chemicals that may cause health harms, including lung damage. Vaping: What you and your friends need to know.

School Mental Health Ontario
School Mental Health Ontario works together with Ontario school districts to support student mental health. 

Youth-Focused Mental Health Resources Hub
An online hub of COVID-19 youth-focused mental health resources from Jack.org, Kids Help Phone and School Mental Health Ontario.

Kids Help Line: Access to 24/7 counselling by phone or text, and find information on different mental health topics. Call Kids Help Phone for support.

The Hope for Wellness Help Line: Mental health counselling and crisis intervention to all Indigenous peoples across Canada through Hope for Wellness Help Line.

Be There by Jack.org: Find guidance on how to Be There for a friend who may be struggling with their mental health.