Social and Physical Environment Create welcoming and inclusive environments, e.g. establish safe spaces such as a chill room or sensory room. Promote mental health tools, community resources and supports, e.g. bulletin boards, morning announcements, posters. Refer to the Parent Engagement in Schools Newsletter Insert. Provide presentations to staff on Developmental Relationships and/or Asset Building. Offer regular staff wellness activities, e.g. staff yoga. Incorporate Principles to Strengthen a Healthy School including, asset building, equity and inclusion, and student engagement. Participate in Awareness Campaigns Bell Let’s Talk Day (external link) Pink Shirt Day (external link) Bullying – we can all help stop it – Ontario Ministry of Education (external link)
Home, School, and Community Partnerships Partner with agencies like Halton Food For Thought (external link) to provide breakfast & snack programs. Provide mental health related school newsletter inserts and blogs for parents (external link). Share mental health resources on your school website, e.g. Ready Set Whoa HaltonParents Emotional Well-Being/Mental Health Invite community partners to be a guest speaker, e.g. Halton Women’s Place (external link). Invite community agencies to be a part of Safe Schools/Well-Being committees. Provide mental health resources to parents and caregivers (external link).
Curriculum, Teaching and Learning Use the School Mental Health Ontario Everyday Mental Health Classroom Resource (external link). Implement curriculum (visit Halton Region Positive Mental Health Promotion for Schools or Bullying Prevention for Schools webpages for a variety of curriculum resources). Partner with CYC to offer the Healthy Transitions program for grade 8 students. Work with other schools in your community to host a guest speaker to talk to students/staff about mental well-being.
School and Classroom Leadership Start a Well-Being committee. Implement Healthy Schools Certification (external link). Identify mental health priorities by reviewing local data (school surveys/focus groups). Work with School Board Mental Health Lead to provide professional development. Work through Principles to Strengthen a Healthy School - Asset Building. Offer student leadership opportunities such as peer mentoring. Provide student leadership training for student leaders. Apply for grants to support mental health initiatives, e.g. PRO grants, Halton Learning Foundation (external link) (HDSB).
Student Engagement Have students participate on Well-Being committee. Offer school clubs based on student interest and feedback. Offer physical activity opportunities, e.g. intramurals, running clubs, Walk and wheel events - Ontario Active School Travel (external link). Run a Playground Activity Leaders in Schools (P.A.L.S.) program. Give opportunities for student voice about class and school issues. Integrate stress-management and coping strategies (external link). Partner with community agencies to offer free opportunities for students, e.g. arena, skate park, YMCA, pool.