For Families
If you have any non-urgent concerns about your child’s health and well-being, please reach out to the school directly. Our dedicated school mental health team is available during school hours to support students and connect families with additional resources if needed.
School Mental Health Ontario (SMH-ON) has launched By Your Side – a new parent/caregiver online resource hub toolkit designed to support Ontario parents and caregivers in fostering their children’s mental health and well-being. Check out the resources available below:
Find parent/caregiver resources to support mental health and well-being for every family.
Parent/caregiver webinar series coming soon!
For Students
If you are struggling with your mental health, you are not alone, and help is available. There are many caring adults in your school who can support you. If you need someone to talk to, consider reaching out to:
A trusted teacher or staff member – They can listen and help connect you with resources.
Your school’s Guidance Counsellor – They can provide support and referrals to mental health services.
The Child and Youth Worker (CYW) or Social Worker at your school – They are trained to support students with mental health concerns.
Your Principal or Vice-Principal – They can help guide you to appropriate supports.
For immediate support outside of school hours, you can contact:
Kids Help Phone: Call 1-800-668-6868 or text CONNECT to 686868.
Health Sciences North Crisis Services: Call 705-675-4760.
211 Ontario: Dial 211 for community support services.
Additional Resources
Urgent Help
If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, contact 911 or emergency services in your area. You may also bring the person directly to the Health Sciences North Emergency Department at Ramsey Lake HealthCentre, 41 Ramsey Lake Road, Sudbury. There is a crisis worker available in the emergency department 24 hours a day. Register with the Triage nurse and request crisis assistance.
Health Sciences North has a Crisis Intervention program offering help 24-hours/day for all ages. You may visit in person at 127 Cedar Street, 7 days/week from 8:30 am to 10:00 pm or telephone 705.675.4760 or Toll free 1.877.841.1101. After 10:00 pm, the crisis worker is available at the emergency department. Depending on the situation, a mobile crisis worker may be able to meet you in the community between 10:00 am and 8:30 pm, 7 days/week.
When your feelings need a place to go, we’re here for you. With Kids Help Phone’s web messaging service, you can connect with a trained, volunteer crisis responder for support on your phone or computer any time, about anything, via web message.
Sudbury and Area Victim Services
Sudbury & Area Victim Services provides immediate crisis response, intervention, and prevention services which are responsive to the needs of individuals, families and communities affected by crime and tragic circumstances.
Everyday Challenges
Understanding and Finding Help for Self-Harm
Learn about self-harm and how to find help for children and youth in Ontario with the Canadian Mental Health Association.
Complete this self-referral form and a trained mental health professional will respond to you within one business day. We are Here 2 Help.
mindSPACE offers free and confidential single session mental health services without an appointment for children and youth under 18. It’s safe and inclusive space to talk one-on-one and we can help with the little things or help with complicated challenges. It’s free, it’s safe, and it’s available! mindSPACE can be accessed as frequently as needed.
Mind your mind works with community partners and young people aged 14 to 29 to co-create interactive tools and innovative resources to build capacity and resilience.
Many students would like to speak to someone about their mental health, yet they don’t always know the supports available or how to start the conversation. The My Circle of Support resource is designed to build student familiarity and confidence with help-seeking.
When we feel anxious, we sometimes don’t breathe as deeply as we should. These short breaths can be bad for our bodies and our brains and make us feel more anxious. Practicing deep breathing can help to still your mind, calm your body, and control your feelings of anxiety.
Tools for Families
Mental Health at Home (By Your Side)
You play an essential role in nurturing your child’s mental health and well-being. The things you do every day at home can promote a sense of well-being and help your child develop a strong foundation for positive mental health.
How can I talk to my child about their mental health?
Regularly discussing your child’s mental health builds trust, supports their feelings, boosts well-being, and shows them they can turn to you when life feels hard. Download this resource for help.
Helping your Child Understand and Manage Stress
This resource was developed to assist parents/caregivers in recognizing and managing stress in their child, including how to seek help if needed.
Noticing Mental Health Concerns for your Child
It is helpful to recognize signs that could indicate that your child is struggling with a mental health problem (changes in mental health that negatively impact how they are regularly feeling, acting, or thinking, at school, home, and in the community).
Parenting Tweens and Teens in the Digital World
Explore this valuable resource to learn effective strategies for parenting teens and tweens in the digital world, ensuring their safety and well-being online.
Webinars and Events
Sign-Up For the Push-Up Challenge
The Push-Up Challenge is a free fitness event focused on pushing for better mental health for all Canadians. Participants take on 2,000 push-ups, representing the ~2,000 lives lost to suicide each day, worldwide.
School Mental Health Ontario is offering a free webinar series designed to help parents and caregivers navigate important topics related to substance use and addictive behaviours.
Support for 2S/LGBTQ+
Caring Adults: Supporting 2S/LGBTQ+ Youth
This document is intended to provide supports for caring adults to build relationships and spaces that affirm the identities of 2S/LGBTQIA+ students.