Student Support

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.​

My Circle of Support​​

• First Peoples Wellness Circle
• COVID 19 Youth Hub jack.org  
• Self-Care 101 for Students
• Learning Brain vs. Stress Brain (video)
• 5 Ways to Help a Friend (poster)
• Kids Help Phone Self-Care Checklist
• Kids Help Phone - How to calm down when you’re stressed​
• 12 Instant Stress Busters
• Sleep Hygiene - Getting a Good Night’s Sleep Sleep Hygiene - Getting a Good Night's Sleep
• Lighthouse Peer Support for Grieving Children, Youth and their Families (Information and peer support groups)
• Positive Space Network (information, resources and support groups for children, youth, and parents/caregivers for trans, non-binary and gender diverse children and youth.​​ ​​ 
  
• 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. Upopolis reduces social isolation from activity restrictions, illness, and hospitalization, while educating and empowering youth to play an active role in managing and coping with their diagnosis.
  
• 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
• Youthline.ca - LGBT 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. text :647-694-4275; live chat
  
• ​ 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.
• The Cultural Youth Mentorship Program supporting Black children, youth and their families provided by Big Brothers Big Sisters and New Age Ministry is offering a virtual group and youth mentoring opportunity for black identifying youth ages 12-18 of all beliefs, genders and sexual identities. With a focus on celebrating Caribbean and African cultures, youth will learn and participate in activities that reflect on cultural history, carnival arts, cultural icons and diaspora experiences.  Contact:  Edson Jeffers (Program CEO) (416) 518-1260 qaedson@gmail.com   or  Bianca Burns (Program Coordinator)  (905) 339-2355  bianca.burns@bigbrothersbigsisters.ca 

• 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.

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

​In addition to the strategies above, you can also try these:

• 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.
• 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. 
• Danielle's Place provides prevention and early intervention for youth 8-17 who are at risk of developing an eating disorder.
• Strong Minds Strong Kids information and resources to build coping, stress management and resiliency skills​ ​
• MindBeacon  free on-line 6-12 week therapist guided therapy plan for anxiety, depression, stress, etc.
• Wellness Together Canada is a free on-line service with web resources and counselling
• Wellness & Emotional Support For Youth Online- https://wesforyouthonline.ca/ is a free virtual counselling service for you
• Mental Health Classroom Bitmojis​
  

​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.