Student Support

There are friends, people at school, within your family and in the community who can help you.  

There are staff members at school who can support you. Ask a trusted teacher, guidance counsellor, graduation coach, youth settlement worker, or principal for help. There are also school social workers, CYC's and mental health psychologists. A staff person or your school website will share information about how these mental health workers can help you, and how you can request their support. There are also professionals such as a family doctor or community agency who can support you.

There are also people outside of school that you can turn to like your family or friends, a faith or cultural leader, an Elder, or someone in your community.

When thinking about who to reach out to, think of a person who:

• you trust and respect
• listens to you
• you find easy to talk to
• supports your goals and interests​

It can feel awkward to ask for help. Here are ways to start a conversation. “I have a tough situation; it’s really bugging me… Can I talk to you about it?”

“I can’t seem to get past the feelings I’m having. I wanted to reach out before things got worse.”

“I’ve been feeling off lately, can I get your help?”

No Problem Too Big or Too Small is a resource that you is a quick reference on when, where, how and with whom you can reach out for help.

The people, places, and things that support me when I need it.  Safe and supportive people care about me and want to support my mental health and well-being.​​​​ View My Circle of Support​ Tri-Fold brochure.  ​​​​

​ 2S&LGBTQ+​

• Well-Being Strategies and Zines for 2S&LGBTQ+​ Youth​
  
• The Get Real Movement  We strive to make positive environments for 2SLGBTQ+ youth and allies through mentorship
  
• 2S&LGBTQ+​ Tips for Supporting Yourself
  
• ​Youthlin​e.ca - LGBT Youth Line offers confidential and non-judgemental peer support through chat/text only beginning Feb.13th 2023.. Get in touch with a peer support volunteer from Sunday to Friday, 4:00PM to 9:30 PM. text :647-694-4275; live chat  ​
  
• Learning, Grounding, Growing: Practical Tools for 2S&LGBTQ+​ Youth​​
  
• Trans Lifeline | 1-877-330-6366 | translifeline.org
  Trans lifeline is non-profit dedicated to the well-being of transgender people staffed by trans people for trans people. Volunteers are ready to respond to whatever support members of our community might have.
  

Anxiety, Depression

• Understanding Anxiety and Coping Strategies (School Mental Health Ontario)
  
• Unhelpful Thinking Traps
  
• Coping Thoughts vs Automatic Negative Thoughts
• Anxiety Canada.ca provides information, videos, and tip sheets on how to cope with and reduce many types of fears and anxieties
• Bounce Back is designed to help adults and youth 15+ manage low mood, mild to moderate depression and anxiety, stress or worry. Delivered over the phone with a coach and through online videos, you will get access to tools that will support you on your path to mental wellness.
  

Black Youth

• Support for Black youth: RiseUp through Kids Help Phone  information and connect with a counsellor by texting RISE to 686868. Peer support is also available 
  
• ​Black Youth - Addressing Anti-Black Racism and Its Impact: A Well-Being Toolkit for Families (Durham District School Board) includes children youth and adult books, articles, videos, podcasts related to the impact of anti-black racism and building positive self-image, self-esteem and self-love. ​
  
• Self-Love Practices for Black Youth (School Mental Health Ontario)
• ​The Cultural Youth Mentorship Program supporting Black children, youth and their families provided by Big Brothers Big Sisters and New Age Ministry.   Contact:  Edson Jeffers (Program CEO) (416) 518-1260 qaedson@gmail.com   or  Bianca Burns (Program Coordinator)  (905) 339-2355  bianca.burns@bigbrothersbigsisters.ca 
• Black Youth Helpline:1-833-294-8650
  
• The Cultural Mentorship Program supports youth age 12-18 who identify as being a part of the Black community. Our 8-10 week group program consists of discussions and activities that celebrate Caribbean and African history, carnival arts, music, cultural cooking, Black icons, understanding of rights and diaspora experiences. With the goal of safety and well-being, the Cultural Mentorship Program encourages youth to build a strong sense of cultural identity while forming community." Youth can self-refer. BigBrothers Big Sisters grou​p mentoring -Cultural Mentorship Program
  

Bullying, Cyberbullying

• Safe and Acceptable Online Behaviour (Prevnet) 
  
• Cyberbullying tip sheet (Prevnet)
  

Climate Despair

• Climate Despair - LGBT Youthline
  

Disordered Eating and Eating Disorders

• ​Danielle's Place provides prevention and early intervention for youth 8-17 who are at risk of developing an eating disorder.
• ​Nedic - National Eating Disorder Information Centre nedic.ca  videos, resources, articles, brochures.  Helpline Toll-free 1-866-633-4220 Email nedic@uhn.ca

First Nations, Indigenous, Metis, Inuit Youth

• Support for First Nations Inuit and Metis youth through Kids Help Phone  information and connect with a counsellor by texting  FIRST NATIONS, INUIT or METIS to 686868. Peer support is also available​
  
• Brighter Days: An Indigeneous Wellness Program (Kids HelpPhone)
• Support for First Nations, Inuit and Metis youth (Kids Help Phone)
• First Peoples Wellness Circle
•  Indigenous Hope for Wellness Helpline(12+): 1-855-242-3310
• Talk4Healing(All ages): Indigenous women’s support and resources; 1-855-554-4325
• Climate Despair - Indigeneous Climate Action 
• We Matter - Indigenous Youth Support: An Indigenous youth-led nationally registered organization dedicated to Indigenous youth support, hope and life promotion
  

Grief, Bereavement and Loss

• Youth Grief  has been developed — from content to art to design — by grieving youth, for grieving youth.  It shares wisdom, experiences and advice from more than 30 young people who’ve been there, and know what it’s like to grieve when someone you care about has died.
  
• Lighthouse Peer Support for Grieving Children, Youth and their Families Information and peer support groups​ ​
• 3 Ways for Parents and Families to build Resilience During COVID
•  Grief Support Text and Online Chat Service for adults, children and youth text 289-278-1885 or visit Kemp Hospice grief peer support   7 days a week, 10am-10pm  
• Nightingale Centre  parent, child and youth bereavement support groups  1-519-265-9594
  
• Heartache2Hope offers grief and bereavement individual and group counselling for adults, children and youth who have experienced a suicide loss.  For more information, to register, or make a referral, please email Amanda at amanda@Heartache2Hope.com or call 905-599-4673. To speak with someone live, please call our HopeLine at 289-474-5508 on Mondays or Thursdays from 1:00-4:00pm.
  

Helping Others

• ​​5 Ways to Help a Friend (poster)
• On-line Be There Certificate teaches the skills, knowledge and confidence of helping others in 2 hours
  

Islamic Youth

• Islamic Society of North America - MYNA and group development programs for Muslim youth

​
Muslim Youth

• Naseeha Helpline (All ages): Muslim support line; 1-866-627-3342 (call) or 1-866-627-3342 (text)
  

Self-Injury 

• ​Self-Injury Outreach and Support - coping, helping someone
  
• A Do and Don’t List For Non-Suicidal Self-Injury (NSSI) in Schools​​

Stress and Coping 

• Learning Brain vs. Stress Brain (video)
• Kids Help Phone - How to calm down when you’re stressed
• 12 Instant Stress Busters
• Strong Minds Strong Kids information and resources to build coping, stress management and resiliency skills​ 

Substance Use, Vaping

Suicide and life promotion are two very important mental health concerns. You may be experiencing thoughts of suicide, or know someone who is having these thougohts. You may have experienced the death of someone by suicide. There is help available. 

If you, or someone you know is in crisis call KidsHelp Phone
Call a Counsellor: 1-800-668-6868
Text a Counsellor: 686868
Live Chat:https://kidshelpphone.ca/live-chat/ or
ROCK Crisis Line at 905-878-9785 is available 24 hours a day/7 days a week or call 911 now if someone is attempting to die by suicide. ​

Well-Being Strategies ​Support Lines

• Kids Help Phone (Up to age 24) Neuro-inclusive support; 1-800-668-6868 text 686868
• Anonymous Friend - Youth Mental Health Support by Student Volunteers Anonymous Friend through YMCA of Oakville
• Upopolis - An on-line community for chronically and critically ill youth 10 to 18 to connect with others like them who are going through medical experiences in North America. 
  
• Al-anon.alateen.on.ca  call 416-410-3809 Alateen is for young people whose lives have been affected by someone else’s drinking. contacts the Alateen Coordinator at os.alateen@gmail.com or Wendy at discoveringchoices@yahoo.ca to get access to the meetings.
  
• Alcoholics Anonymous  24 hour Helpline Halton:  905-631-8784   Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of people who come together to solve their drinking problem.  It doesn’t cost anything to attend A.A. meetings. There are no age or education requirements to participate. Membership is open to anyone who wants to do something about their drinking problem. The website also lists upcoming meetings.
  

Well-Being Strategies 

• The Wheel of Well-Being for Youth KHP
• COVID 19 Youth Hub jack.org  
  
• Self-Care 101 for Students
• Kids Help Phone Self-Care Checklist
• Sleep Hygiene - Getting a Good Night’s Sleep
• Doze An app to help you learn about your sleep patterns and improve your sleep
• Well-Being Strategies: Deep Breathing, Relaxation, Gratitude,  Thought Changing Activities, Distraction 
• Grounding Skills - Mindfulness
• Mindful Eating
• Mind Your Mind.ca is a website where mental health, wellness, engagement and technology meet. We work with community partners and young people aged 14 to 29 to co-create interactive tools and innovative resources to build capacity and resilience.
• Gratitude, Distraction, Breathing, Muscle Relaxation, Thought Changing Strategies​​
  

​Everyone at one point or another feels worried about their mental health and wonders if they should see someone for help. 

Here are some questions to ask yourself.   

Are my thoughts, feelings and behaviours:

Intense? These aren’t mild, everyday fluctuations. They’re stronger and more persistent thoughts, feelings and behaviours than the usual ups and downs of life. Thoughts of suicide or self-harm signal distress and you should seek help right away.

Long-lasting? They’re having a consistent or lingering presence over weeks, months or longer. Many professionals suggest that anything that’s lasted two weeks or longer can be cause for concern.

Having a big impact? They’re beginning to have negative consequences in one’s life, possibly interfering with someone’s ability to function and/or meet their everyday goals.

If you have thoughts of hurting yourself or have made a plan or have attempted to die by suicide - seek help from a mental health professional immediately 

• Call 911, ROCK Crisis Line at 905-878-9785 is available 24 hours a day/7 days a week, or 
• KidsHelp Phone - Call a Counsellor: 1-800-668-6868; Text a Counsellor: 686868; Live Chat: https://kidshelpphone.ca/live-chat/​ or 
• contact your family physician or current therapist. 
• You can also talk to your teacher or other staff member who will help get you support.
  

It is very common to feel awkward about asking for help and think, ‘is my problem too small?’ ‘Too big?’ You might be concerned about what others may think of you. You might even wonder where you can get help, and what help is available.  It’s best to reach out and talk to someone. We all have mental health and talking about things is one of the ways we can take care of it! Asking for help can be awkward but you’ll probably feel relieved after you do. See No Problem Too Big or Too Small - Asking for Help for tips on how to start the conversation.​

 

• ​Alcoholics Anonymous  24 hour Helpline Halton:  905-631-8784   Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of people who come together to solve their drinking problem.  It doesn’t cost anything to attend A.A. meetings. There are no age or education requirements to participate. Membership is open to anyone who wants to do something about their drinking problem. The website also lists upcoming meetings.​
  
• OneStopTalk A free, immediate and confidential service for children, youth and their families. Click the "Start the Conversation" button or call 1 855 416 8255. Service is provided in Monday-Friday 12-8pm and Saturdays 12-4pm. When you reach out you can instantly connect with a registered therapist by phone or video. Together, they'll help create a plan to help you feel better. 
  
• Black Youth Helpline: 416-258-9944 (available 9 a.m. - 10 p.m. every day)
  
• Support for Black youth: RiseUp through Kids Help Phone  information and connect with a counsellor by texting RISE to 686868 
  

• Taibu Community Health Centre: 416-644-3536
  
• LGBT+ Youthline: 647-694-4275
  
• Indus Community Services for Newcomers: 905-275-2369
  
• First Peoples Wellness Circle
• Danielle's Place: Provides prevention and early intervention for youth aged 8-17 who are at risk of developing an eating disorder.
• LGBT Youth Line​  www.youthline.ca  call 1 - 800 - 268 - 9688  text 647 - 694 - 4275  Youth Line offers confidential and non-judgemental peer support through our telephone, text and chat services. Get in touch with a peer support volunteer from Sunday to Friday, 4:00PM to 9:30 PM.
  
• First Nations, Indigenous, Metis and Inuit Youth:
  Support for First Nations Inuit and Metis youth through Kids Help Phone  information and connect with a counsellor by texting  FIRST NATIONS, INUIT or METIS to 686868 
  
• Indian Residential School Survivors and Family​ 24 hour crisis line 1-866-925-4419 for anyone experiencing pain or distress as a result of his or her Residential school experience we provide counselling, cultural and emotional support services

• Reach Out Centre for Kids: Live Answer 289-266-0036; Virtual Walk-In; Live Chat
• SAVIS Tel: 905-825-3622, e-mail: savis@savisofhalton.org: Support for violence or sexual violence in intimate relationships, including trafficking
• ADAPT Halton: For youth wanting information or help to manage drug, alcohol or gambling concerns
• Radius Child & Youth Services specializes in working with children, youth, and families who have experienced sexual, physical, or emotional abuse, neglect, or witnessed intimate partner violence. 
• Roots Community Services for children, youth, families who identify as Black, and are from African and Caribbean backgrounds. Culturally responsive counselling is provided.
• Substance Abuse Program for African Canadian and Caribbean Youth (SAPACCY)  416-535-8501, press 2. Self-referrals, Community Referrals, and Physician Referrals. Servicing youth between the ages of 14-24 struggling with mental health and substance issues. Individual, Family and Group support.
• Punjabi Community Health Services For information call 905-677-0889 ext. 221 

For crisis support

• ROCK Crisis Line at 905-878-9785 available 24 hours a day/7 days a week
• KidsHelp Phone: Call a Counsellor: 1-800-668-6868; Text a Counsellor: 686868; Live Chat: https://kidshelpphone.ca/live-chat/
•  COAST(16+): Neuro-inclusive crisis support; 1-877-825-9011
• Family doctor
• Emergency Room
• Multilingual Distress Line:1-877-298-5444; (TTY) 905-278-4890 Languages served include English, Cantonese, Mandarin, Portugese, Spanish, Hindi, Punjabi and Urdu

Black Youth

• Roots Community Services Crisis Line 647-812-9944  Monday-Friday, 9am-7pm For children, youth and families who identify as Black, and are from African and Caribbean backgrounds.

First Nations, Indigenous, Metis and Inuit Youth​

• First Nations and Inuit Hope for Wellness Helpline On-line chat, counselling and crisis support First Nations & Inuit Hope for Wellness Help Line 1 - 855 - 242 - 3310 English, French language and Cree, Ojibway and Inukitut available upon request 
• Indian Residential School Survivors and Family 24 hour crisis line 1-866-925-4419 for anyone experiencing pain or distress as a result of his or her Residential school experience we provide counselling, cultural and emotional support services

Sexual Assault or Sex Trafficking

• SAVIS of Halton: 905-875-1555 provides free, confidential and non-judgmental 24-hour support to all survivors of violence including female-identified, male-identified, and members of the transgender community. 

Children’s Aid Society

• Halton Children’s Aid Society if you or another child/youth are under the age of 18 and require support and protection: Toll Free: 866.607.KIDS (5437​) Phone: 905.333.4441 Fax: 905.333.1844 TTY: 711 (TTY to Voice)

Muslim Youth

• Naseeha Youth Helpline – a confidential mental health helpline for young Muslims to receive immediate and anonymous support from 12:00-9:00pm over the phone from 7 days a week or over text Monday to Friday: 1-866-627-3342