Mental health is more than the absence of illness; it is a resource that gives people the capacity to enjoy life and deal with challenges.
– Mental Health Commission of Canada
The following links provide valuable information on mental health. From overcoming illness to achieving wellness, teaching resources to parental resources, and self-help guides to crisis support, there is something for everyone.
Website: APPLE Schools – Mental Health Bins
Background Info
APPLE Schools is an innovative school-focused health promotion initiative that is dedicated to improving students’ healthy eating, physical activity, and mental health habits.
The APPLE Schools Mental Health Bins incorporate reflection and breathing activities for children. All activities promote a positive classroom environment and teach students to improve their mental well-being.
Website: Canadian Mental Health Association
Website: version française
Background Info
The Canadian Mental Health Association is a nationwide leader and champion for mental health. CMHA facilitates access to the resources people need to maintain and improve mental health, build resilience, and support recovery from mental illness.
This page discusses several mental health topics, and provides information to encourage a healthy balance in life.
Background Info
The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health is Canada’s largest mental health teaching hospital and one of the world’s leading research centres in its field. The organization conducts groundbreaking research, provides expert training, advocates on public policy issues, and develops health promotion and prevention strategies.
Developed for teachers, this resource guide contains all the information, support, and tools needed to implement Talking about Mental Illness in the classroom – an awareness program proven to bring positive change in student’s knowledge and attitudes about mental illness.
Website: Flex Your Head
Background Info
Flex Your Head is a mental health promotion program for youth created by Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada, and was developed to help youth think about, talk about, and understand issues of mental health and wellness within a safe, fun, and welcoming environment.
Website: Healthy Schools BC
Background Info
Healthy Schools BC builds the capacity of the health and education sectors to effectively implement healthy school initiatives. Using a Comprehensive School Health approach, the Healthy Schools BC website contains information that is valuable to any school community looking to support healthy classrooms and schools.
Organized by grade level, their resource page contains hundreds of materials to actively engage students in learning to be healthy. Topics include mental health, physical activity, and nutrition.
Website: heretohelp
Background Info
Heretohelp is a project of the BC Partners for Mental Health and Substance Use Information.
Their website offers hundreds of self-help resources for a variety of mental health topics.
Website: Kelty Mental Health
Background Info
Provided by the BC Children’s Hospital, the Kelty Mental Health Resource Centre is a provincial source of mental health resources for children, youth, and families.
The website provides information and resources on a wide range of mental health and substance use challenges affecting children and youth.
Website: Kids Help Phone
Website: version française
Background Info
Kids Help Phone is available 24/7 to young people in Canada. Whether by phone, text, mobile app or through the website, Kids Help Phone is always open for young people in any moment of crisis or need.
In addition, the Kids Help Phone website also offers several articles and resources for young people to help support and improve their emotional health and well-being.
Website: Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care – Open Minds, Healthy Minds
Website: version française
Background Info
Provided by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, Open Minds, Healthy Minds is Ontario’s comprehensive mental health and addictions strategy.
Website: Ontario Ministry of Education – Promoting Well-being
Website: version française
Background Info
Provided by the Ontario Ministry of Education, this web-page is about promoting well-being in Ontario’s education system.
Website: Ontario Ministry of Education – Supporting Minds
Website: version française
Background Info
Provided by the Ontario Ministry of Education, Supporting Minds is an educator’s guide to supporting mental health and well-being. It is designed to help educators understand more about mental health in order to promote the mental health of all students; and recognize and support students who may be experiencing distress.
Website: have THAT talk
Background Info
Presented by Ottawa Public Health, the have THAT talk video campaign was developed to raise awareness about the importance of mental health.
The videos are a great resource for individuals to learn more about reducing stigma, increasing support, and encouraging people to get help sooner.
Website: School Mental Health ASSIST
Website: version française
Background Info
School Mental Health ASSIST is a provincial support team designed to help Ontario School boards promote student mental health and well-being.
Check out the website to learn more about mental health at school, participate in online learning, and obtain access to several valuable resources.
Website: Teach Resiliency
Background Info
Teach Resiliency is an online library that has practical and evidence-informed resources and tools for teachers to support mental health. It is designed to support teachers on their journey towards building healthy futures for themselves and their students.
Resource topics include Healthy Spaces; Promoting Belonging; Building Resilience; and Mental Health Literacy.
Website: Wellbeing
Background Info
Wellbeing is a guide designed to support individuals on their journey to feeling satisfied, happy, healthy, and connected to others in positive ways; in other words, a greater sense of well-being.
Explore the Six Ways to well-being or browse their resources page to learn more.
The above links are provided for informational and convenience purposes only; participation by the Northeastern Ontario Research Team for Health and Physical Activity (NORTH PA) lab does not imply endorsement by, or partnership with any of the listed organizations, resources and/or links. The NORTH PA lab bears no responsibility for the accuracy, legality or content of the external sites or for that of subsequent links. Please contact the external sites for answers to questions regarding its content.