Canadian Mental Health Toolkits for Students and Schools
A Resource Guide for Parents and Caregivers
As a parent or caregiver, you want the best for your child—not just academically, but emotionally and mentally too. With growing awareness of the importance of mental health in schools, there are now many excellent Canadian resources designed to support students, educators, and families. This guide provides a curated list of trusted mental health toolkits available across the country.
What Mental Health Literacy Matters
Mental health literacy is the foundation for all mental health improvements. It involves understanding how to maintain good mental health, recognizing mental disorders and their treatments, decreasing stigma, and knowing how to seek help effectively. When students, teachers, and families share this common understanding, they can work together to create supportive school environments where young people can thrive.
The importance of mental health literacy is reflected in many Canadian provinces investing in mental health programs and resources. A growing body of research shows that school-based mental health initiatives can significantly improve knowledge, reduce stigma, and enhance help-seeking behaviors among students .
Mental Health & High School Curriculum Guide
Description: The Mental Health & High School Curriculum Guide is the first and only evidence-based Canadian mental health literacy curriculum resource designed for use in schools, primarily for Grades 7–10.
Key Features:
Six interactive web-based classroom-ready modules covering topics like understanding mental health and mental illness, stigma, specific mental disorders, personal experiences of mental illness, seeking help, and positive mental health.
Teacher self-study resources, lesson plans, print and video resources, PowerPoint presentations, and evaluation tools.
Delivered by classroom teachers in a sustainable and cost-effective manner.
How to Access: Materials are freely available online at teenmentalhealth.org/curriculum
The "By Your Side" Toolkit & Parent/Caregiver Learning Hub
Organization: School Mental Health Ontario (SMH-ON)
Description: By Your Side is a comprehensive suite of resources co-created with Ontario parents, caregivers, and school mental health professionals to support mental health learning and well-being for every family.
Key Features:
For Parents/Caregivers: A dedicated learning hub with resources on understanding mental health, promoting mental health at home, supporting mental health at school, stress and anxiety management, substance use prevention, navigating digital technology use, and reaching out for help.
For Schools: A toolkit for school staff with info sheets, short videos, slide decks, pre-written articles, and communication templates to foster meaningful partnerships with families.
Resources are available in multiple formats, including web content, PDFs, and videos.
How to Access: Visit the Parent/Caregiver Learning Hub at smho-smso.ca/parents-and-caregivers.
Grab & Go Tools: Simple Learning Activities
Organization: School Mental Health Ontario
Description: Simple, ready-to-use activities designed to build mental health literacy and coping skills in students.
Key Features:
Feelings Flashcards: Support identifying and talking about feelings.
Mood Check-Ins: Tools for students and educators to check in on emotional states.
Practicing Gratitude: A four-step activity to help students build the skill of expressing gratitude.
"See and Say How You Feel": A tool to help students express feelings and reflect on situations.
"Would You Rather?": A quick activity to get students thinking about their preferences, skills, talents, and strengths.
"I in Image": Students choose an image they connect with and share why.
How to Access: Available at smho-smso.ca/online-resources/grab-go-tools
Bell Let’s Talk Resources
Organization: Bell Let’s Talk, in partnership with school boards like the Toronto District School Board (TDSB)
Description: A collection of mental health resources and initiatives to support students, staff, and families, often used to mark Bell Let’s Talk Day but available year-round.
Key Features:
Information about mental health supports and services.
Toolkit materials for starting conversations about mental health.
Links to organizations like Kids Help Phone and other support services.
School-specific initiatives like "Calm Kits" (a "First Aid kit for your mind") designed to support students experiencing a mental health crisis .
How to Access: Resources can be found on local school board websites and through the Bell Let's Talk campaign.
The Go-To Educator Training
Description: A companion program to the Mental Health & High School Curriculum Guide, the Go-To Educator Training is designed to train educators in the early identification of mental health problems and to provide strategies for linking students in need of help with the care system .
How to Access: Information is available through teenmentalhealth.org
Additional Resources for Specific Audiences and Needs
Mind Your Mind Youth Mental Health Resources
The Stigma-Free Mental Health Society Student Mental Health Toolkit (Resources for Youth, Teens, Parents/Guardians, Teachers and School Counsellors)
Student Mental Health Network Toolkits to Develop Coping Skills and Strategies (For Postsecondary Students)
Centre for Innovation in Campus Mental Health Toolkits & Infosheets (For Postsecondary Students)
Toronto District School Board Mental Health Toolkits and Choice Boards
CMHA.ca School Toolkit
Collaborative Mental Health Care Child & Youth Mental Health Toolkits
Coaching Association of Canada Student Mental Health Toolkit
About Kids Health (SickKids) Emotional Well-being Tool Kit: Ages 18+
First Peoples Wellness Circle (FPWC) Indigenous Student Wellness Toolkits in Ontario (currently in development)
We hope this guide helps you navigate the many excellent Canadian mental health toolkits and resources available to support your child's well-being. Together, we can help build a future where every student feels seen, heard, and supported.
