Where can I get help?

Text in image: Hope.

You are not alone.

If you’re ever wondering if you might need help with your mental health, you can always speak to a teacher or another trusted adult like a parent, relative, principal, coach, faith leader, Elder, or your family doctor.

You can also call Kids Help Phone and speak to a trained counsellor to see if getting more help might be a good idea. Speak with a counsellor 24/7 by calling Kids Help Phone at:

1-800-668-6868 or texting CONNECT to 686868
Black youth- text RISE to 686868
FIRST NATIONS, INUIT or METIS- 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.

Are you in Secondary?

You can...

Talk to your classroom teacher using one of the conversation starters below.
Go to your Guidance Department and talk with a Guidance Teacher using one of the conversation starters below. 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.

Are you in Elementary?

You can...

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!

How to start the 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)

FAQ's

Does counselling at school cost money?

No! All counselling support offered in schools by school staff or community partners is free and accessible to students

What types of things do people talk about in counselling?

Stress
Anxiety/worry
Social challenges and relationship difficulties
Mood challenges (e.g., feeling sad, overwhelmed, down, angry)
Substance use
Developing healthy habits, routines, and coping strategies

How does talking to someone help?

It can help you better understand your thoughts, feelings, and behaviours and make sense of them.
A Mental Health professional can help you build skills for managing stress and working through challenges.
It can help you find ways to solve problems.
It can help you better understand the people and resources within your community that can support you.

Who can access counselling at SMCDSB?

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.

“All kids need is a little help, a little hope and somebody who believes in them.” (Magic Johnson)