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Group of male and female students wearing SOS hoodies for Mental Health Awareness

Mental Health

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Research has shown that approximately 1 in 5 Canadian students has a mental health problem. Beyond the focus on symptoms and disorders, we are seeing a shift towards understanding that developing positive mental health is important to academic achievement and overall wellbeing.

We have developed a Mental Health and Addiction Strategy entitled Together for Mental Health, with a mission of creating caring and supportive Catholic school communities that promote wellbeing and maximize achievement of all learners.

Positive mental health

Positive mental health includes all students and supports the goal of prevention, inclusion, compassionate support and healthy development. All students need to have opportunities to develop their gifts, be physically active, achieve a true sense of belonging, experience joy and learn social and emotional resiliency skills for their lives. Mental health promotion should be a whole school and whole community approach, encompassing all of us. 

Strategies to promote positive mental health 

The following are strategies that parents can use to promote positive mental health in their children:

  • create a sense of belonging - build strong, positive relationships;
  • encourage good physical health, including adequate sleep, healthy eating and exercise;
  • make time for regular family meals;
  • encourage creative outlets;
  • develop your child's competencies;
  • keep the lines of communication open;
  • model good mental and physical health habits;
  • have a predictable routine;
  • foster volunteering and helpfulness;
  • bring fun and playfulness into your child's life.
 

 

School Mental Health Ontario

School Mental Health Ontario is an intermediary organization that works together with Ontario school districts to support student mental health. Their website provides evidence-based information and resources relevant to your specific role, whether you're a parent/family member, student, educator, system or school leader, school mental health professional or other school staff. Visit https://smho-smso.ca/ to learn more. 

Where to get help if you or your child is struggling with mental health concerns

DCDSB Social Work Access Line - 905-576-6150 ext. 21021
Durham Catholic students and families can call our Social Work Access Line and leave a voicemail with their contact information. One of our mental health professionals will call back and provide support. (Note: This is not a crisis line and is not monitored 24/7)


The following resources and supports are available in Durham Region. Your family doctor can also be a source of information and support, and can provide referrals to specialized services.

In Crisis (Need Immediate Support)

Resources and support available in Durham Region include:

  • Distress Centre Durham: 1-800-452-0688
  • Durham Region Crisis Response: 1-800-742-1890
  • ONTX Ontario Online and Text Crisis Services: text 258258
  • 911 or visit nearest hospital emergency department

 

Help Phone Lines

Reach out to the following Help Phone Lines:

  • Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868 (age 5-20) or Text Connect to 686868
  • Good 2 Talk: 1-866-925-5454 (age 17-25) or Text Good2Talkon to 686868
  • Black Youth Help Line: 1-833-294-8650
Non-Crisis (Need Support or Counseling)

Supports available in Durham Region include: 

  • Centralized Intake: 1-888-454-6275 (a central number to access children and youth mental health services from Kinark, Frontenac, Chimo, Lakeridge Health and Ontario Shores Mental Health Sciences)

  • Canadian Mental Health Association Durham: 905-436-8760

  • Carea Community Health Centre: 905-723-0036

    • Youth Services Guide

  • Catholic Family Services: 1-877-282-8932

  • Chimo Youth and Family Services: 705-324-3300 

  • Durham Counseling Walk-in Clinic (Wednesdays 1:00-8:00 p.m.; age 3-19): 289-509-0603, ext. 3203

  • Durham Mental Health Services: 905-666-0831 (adults)

  • Family Services Durham: 1-866-840-6697

  • Frontenac Youth Services: 905-579-1551 

  • First Nations and Inuit Hope for Wellness Help Line: 1-855-242-3310

  • Kinark Child and Family Services: 1-866-929-0061 

  • Lakeridge Health - Mental Health and Pinewood Centre: (905) 721-4747 
  • Togetherall (Formally Big White Wall) - a free online mental health and well-being service offering self-help programs and safe, anonymous online support, 24/7 for age 16+.
 
Culturally Relevant Mental Health Supports

Visit jack.org and scroll to the bottom of the page for the following:

  • Resources for Black Youth
  • Resources for LGBTQ Youth
  • Resources for Asian Youth
  • Resources for Indigenous Youth
  • Resources for Muslim Youth

 

Web resources

The tables below provide some recommended websites for parents and students to find helpful information related to mental health.

 Websites for Parents and Guardians
  • AboutKidsHealth - a health education resource for children, youth and caregivers that is approved by health care providers at the Hospital for Sick Children.  Mental health resources cover well-being, anxiety disorders, mood disorders and more.

  • Anxiety Canada - a website for youth and parents to access resources, information and interactive tools for coping with stress and anxiety.

  • Children's Mental Health Ontario - information and resources for parents, children and youth, as well as teachers and mental health professionals.

  • Durham Region Health Department - resources for parents to promote health and wellbeing.

  • e Mental Health - a directory to find mental health resources and help in your area.

  • Durham Talking about Mental Illness (TAMI) Coalition - this local website provides resources and information for parents, teachers and students.

  • Reaching In - Reaching Out - resiliency resources for parents.

  • School Mental Health Ontario is an intermediary organization that works together with Ontario school districts to support student mental health. Their website provides evidence-based information and resources relevant to your specific role, whether you're a parent/family member, student, educator, system or school leader, school mental health professional or other school staff. 

  • The ABCs of Mental Health - a web-based resource for parents providing information on prevention and intervention strategies.
 Websites for Students
  • Anxiety Canada - a website for youth and parents to access resources, information and interactive tools for coping with stress and anxiety.

  • Be Safe app - download this app and be informed on the mental health help available in Durham Region. It allows youth to make a safety plan and helps make decisions about appropriate help in a crisis.

  • COVID-19 Youth Mental Health Resource Hub

  • Kids Help Phone - information on a variety of mental health topics and social issues; confidential phone and web counselling for youth up to age 20.

  • Mind Your Mind - a website for youth and young adults to access resources and interactive tools for mental health and wellness.

  • My Tool Kit - an interactive online resource that uses videos, mobile apps and education modules for youth.

  • School Mental Health Ontario

  • TAMI

 

Building Resiliency in Students

Resiliency is the ability to handle life's ups and downs in positive ways; the ability to deal with disappointments and bounce back from challenges. Individuals develop skills for resilience when they are successfully engaged in school activities, have opportunities to develop positive relationship skills, and strengthen their confidence in problem solving. Adults, including parents and teachers, play an important role in helping a student engage in the school environment and access resources needed for success and wellbeing.

The following resources from Durham Region Health Department can help your children or teens become resilient:

  • Teens can be resilient...in High School

 

 

 

 

 

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