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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 2023-2026 Mental Health Strategy entitled Together for Mental Health: Everyone, Everyday, with a mission of creating caring and supportive Catholic school communities that promote well-being 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 |
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The following are strategies that parents can use to promote positive mental health in their children:
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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.
For a full list of direct links to School Mental Health Ontario resources, click here.
Social Work Access Line
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)
Resources available in Durham Region
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 and Help Phone Lines (Need Immediate Support) |
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Resources and support available in Durham Region include:
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| Local Walk-in Clinics |
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Quick Access Services (formerly Frontenac Walk-in Clinic (age 12 to 18)
Available Monday to Friday on an appointment basis.
Must first complete intake referral through Central Intake Services:1-888-454-6275. Please call 905-579-1551 Ext. 234 to schedule a session. Durham Counselling Walk-in Clinic (age 3-19)
Clinic Hours: Wednesdays from 11:00am to 6:00pm.
All appointments are pre-booked by the Clinic Coordinator at 289-509-0603, ext. 3203. |
| Non-Crisis (Need Support or Counseling) |
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Supports available in Durham Region include:
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| Culturally Relevant Mental Health Supports |
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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 |
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| Websites for Students |
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Building Resiliency in Students |
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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:
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Black Mental Health Day Events
Recording from March 7, 2022 - Black Mental Health Day speaker Natalie Haynes
Recording from March 1, 2021 - Black Mental Health Day speaker Asante Haughton