Promoting Positive Mental Health in Schools
Given the link between emotional well-being and academic achievement, schools play an important role in promoting positive mental health. Educators can support this by providing students with education to strengthen protective factors, reduce risk factors, build resiliency and address inequities.
Why It Matters
Mental health is part of every student’s success. When students feel mentally well, they are more ready to learn, build strong relationships, and handle life’s ups and downs. Educators play a key role in supporting positive mental health through the way they teach, talk and connect with students every day.
What Educators Can Do
Educators can make a meaningful difference without being mental health experts. . Positive mental health can be supported through:
- Building strong, caring relationships
- Teaching coping skills and emotional awareness
- Creating a safe and inclusive classroom
- Embedding mental health topics into lessons across subjects
Concerned about a student’s mental health? Find out where to get help.
Whole School Approaches
A healthy school includes activities that promote positive mental health for all students.
Consider the following activities as part of your health and well-being action plan:
Mental Health Policy
Positive mental health promotion helps create strong, supportive learning environments. We encourage local schools to refer to the Ontario Ministry of Education and/or their school board policies and procedures for supporting student mental health.
The School Health Program works in partnership with local school boards, mental health leaders, schools and school communities to support planning and implementation of policies, programs and services to promote student mental health and well-being.
Mental Health Literacy
Mentally Healthy School and Classroom Environments
- Use a strengths-based approach to help students build confidence, skills, and healthy ways to cope with stress.
- Incorporate a variety of whole-school activities into your action plan to support the creation of a welcoming, inclusive and mentally healthy school. For ideas, visit School Mental Health Ontario.
- Include other health topics that can have an impact on mental health and well-being such as physical activity, healthy eating, sleep and screen time. Encourage school staff to reflect on cultural humility using School Mental Health Ontario’s Cultural Humility Self-Reflection Tool for School Staff.
- Promote a school environment that respects all body shapes and sizes and helps prevent weight-based teasing, bullying and discrimination.
Local Partnerships
- Work with community partners to help create and carry out your school’s mental health and well-being plan. You can also invite them to join your Healthy Schools or well-being committee.
Connect with local mental health services to learn what support is available. Get to know the roles of different organizations in mental health promotion, prevention, and intervention.
Help Students and Families Access Care
- Learn about the mental health supports available through your school, school board and local community.
- Share information openly to help raise awareness and reduce the stigma around asking for help.
- Create a safe, welcoming space such as the school office, library, or guidance area where students and families feel comfortable asking for support or information.
Teaching and Learning
Credible resources and activities that align with Ontario curriculum can help students develop age-appropriate knowledge, learn new skills and make informed decisions to improve their mental health. Below are some examples that can help with teaching and learning related to mental health:
- School Mental Health Ontario - Kindergarten to Grade 12
- National Eating Disorder Information Centre (NEDIC): Beyond Images – Body Image and Self-Esteem Curriculum (Grades 4–8)
- Ontario Ministry of Education: Health and Physical Education - Curriculum and Resources
Health Unit Programs and Services
Developmental Assets® and Developmental Relationships®
We can support schools to learn about and implement Developmental Assets ® and Developmental Relationships ® frameworks from the Search Institute.
Playground Activity Leaders in Schools (PALS)
The PALS program (available in English and French) is a student leadership program designed for elementary schools. It helps create a sense of belonging and inclusion among students, while engaging them in physical activity in the school yard. The program motto is “There’s always room for one more.” Using a train-the-trainer model, public health nurses provide support to schools with implementation of the program.
Student Engagement
There are many meaningful ways for students to take part in promoting mental health at school, including:
- Lead awareness initiatives that promote mental health literacy, reduce stigma and help build a positive school climate.
- Organize school-wide events such as mindful mornings, movement breaks, Pink Shirt Day or Mental Health Week activities.
- Create and display positive messages, posters, or artwork related to mental health around the school.
- Support student clubs and peer leadership opportunities such as wellness teams, social justice clubs, photo-voice projects, or gay-straight alliances.
- Encourage peer mentoring programs like Link Crew, Senior Mentors, Buddy Bench, Lunch Helpers or PALS.
- Involve students in creating calming spaces like a peace garden, relaxation room, or student lounge where stress management techniques can be practiced.
- Speak up for mental health through student-led assemblies, morning announcements and newsletters for parents and caregivers.
Helpful Resources:
- School Mental Health Ontario: Offers student leadership opportunities and resources to help students understand and support mental health, including how to support themselves or a friend.
- mindyourming: Works with community partners and young people aged 14 to 29 to co-create interactive tools and resources that support mental wellness, resilience, and help-seeking. The organization empowers youth to reach out, get help and give help.
Parent and Family Engagement
Parents, caregivers, and families play an important role in promoting mental health and well-being at school. Here are some ways to get involved:
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Work with your School or Parent Council to engage school staff, parents/families and other members of your local school community in activities that promote mental health and well-being for all.
- Share information and updates with families about the school’s mental health and well-being goals, activities, and opportunities to get involved.
- Host a parent/family event for students to share what they are learning in the classroom.
Helpful Resources:
Additional Resources
Contact Us
For more information or support, contact your local School Health public health nurse. You can also contact the health unit at 705-721-7520 or 1-877-721-7520 or complete our secure online Request for Service Form.
Updated: November 6, 2026
