Resources For Students

"Moments when you are not feeling your best are normal. Our feelings and emotions change all the time, it’s expected (you’re human). At times, these changes can affect what we think about ourselves or how we act towards other people. However, it is important to identify when you are having more than just a bad day. Below is a list of questions you can think about to determine whether you are experiencing a difficult moment or day, or if you could use further support from a mental health professional.”

Questions to reflect on:  

• Have things changed in my daily routine, like having trouble sleeping, eating or going to school or work?

• Is how I’m thinking, feeling, or acting different for me? A change from how I used to be?  

• Are my thoughts, emotions or actions affecting my everyday life negatively? For example, am I letting my schoolwork slip or missing classes? Am I reducing the time spent with my friends and family? 

• Have I been feeling this way for some time, like more than a couple of weeks?  

• Am I dealing with my problems in unhealthy ways?  

• Am I carrying too much by myself?  

If you answer yes to some of these questions, it’s probably time to connect with a supportive and caring person who can help. Reaching out can prevent problems from getting worse. If you are unsure, you can talk to a caring adult to help you figure out what would be helpful for you. 

(School Mental Health Ontario, 2025)

If you aren’t sure how you’re feeling, this Feelings Pathway can help you figure out what you’re feeling and where you could get help in your community.  

It can be hard to speak to a trusted adult about how you are feeling. You do not need to have all the answers, and there’s always an adult ready to help you, like a teacher, parent/caregiver, relative, principal, coach, faith leader, Elder, or your family doctor.

Try using these prompts to start a conversation…

• “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 got 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?”

(School Mental Health Ontario, 2025)

It can be common to feel like you need to fix a problem if a friend comes to you. Your role as a friend is to let them know they aren’t alone, and they can reach out to trusted adults to get help. 

There can be lots to consider when talking to a friend, it is important to not promise your friend you’ll keep a secret - especially if your friend has told you they are thinking of hurting themselves or someone else. In this case, you can let them know you need to tell a trusted adult to keep everyone safe. You and your friend can talk about who that trusted adult could be. You can also reach out to Kids Help Phone, and they can help you figure out who to talk to and what to say.

If you are concerned about your friend, or if they come to you for help and it isn’t an emergency, School Mental Health Ontario has a tip sheet on Helping a Friend.

If you need help right away reach out to Kids Help Phone or dial 988 to speak with a counsellor. These services are available 24/7.

You can also connect with:

• •  1-800-668-6868 or texting CONNECT to 686868

  • Black youth- text RISE to 686868 

  • First Nation, Métis and Inuit - text 686868 for young people and 741741 for adults

Mental Health services are available to all students at SMCDSB regardless of, for example, race, colour, background, ethnicity, culture, citizenship, beliefs, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, family status or disability. Culturally responsive services are available to students of First Nation, Inuit or Metis ancestry. If you are under the age of 12 we require consent from your legal guardians. 

School counsellors can help you in many ways. They can:

• help you better understand your thoughts, feelings, and behaviours and make sense of them. 

• help you build skills for managing stress and working through challenges.

• help you find ways to solve problems.

• help you better understand the people and resources within your community that can support you.

Elementary Students

• Talk to a teacher or your Principal/Vice Principal using one of the conversation starters below. 

• There are school mental health staff there to help!

Secondary Students

• Talk to your classroom teacher using one of the conversation starters above.

• Go to your Guidance Department and talk with a Guidance Teacher using one of the conversation starters above. You can also reach out to the Chaplaincy Team Leader at your school. 

• There are many types of mental health professionals that may be available within your high school, such as:

  • SMCDSB School Counsellors

  • SMCDSB School Counsellors supporting students of First Nation, Métis and Inuit ancestry 

  • SMCDSB Psychology Staff

  • Community mental health partners who provide support in schools, such as Mental Health and Addiction Nurses, New Path, Canadian Mental Health Association, Family Connexions, and Enaahtig.