From May 5聽to 9, 2025, 吃瓜黑料网 observes Children鈥檚 Mental Health Week,聽a time to reflect deeply and act intentionally on what it means to create mentally healthy spaces in our school communities鈥攅very day.聽
This year鈥檚 theme, 鈥�Unmasking Mental Health鈥�,聽invites us to dismantle the stigma surrounding mental health by centering wellness & positive mental health, as daily practices and prioritizing the voices of students in shaping supportive environments. This includes learning聽 to聽Reach out聽for help and support within and outside of school including聽affirming immediate mental health supports.
At the 吃瓜黑料网, we recognize that student voice is not only powerful, it is necessary. It is embedded throughout our Multi-Year Strategic Plan (MYSP) and our聽Mental Health and Addictions Strategy.
Students continue to guide and shape the way we understand and respond to mental health:
- For example, since 2021, over 350 secondary students have participated in our聽Focus on Youth Mental Health Leadership Program, led by 吃瓜黑料网鈥檚 Mental Health Leads,聽expressing their experiences and insights through poetry, art, painting, and spoken word鈥攚orks of heart that are now preserved in our聽.
This week is a reminder that supporting mental health is not a one-time event. It is found in the small, everyday actions鈥攎aking time for a moment of calm, connecting with someone we trust, or reaching out for support when it is needed. Across our system, approximately 2,000 mental health programs are running in schools to meet the emerging needs of school communities.
- Did you know?聽60 schools and over 200 students with Professional Support Services staff and school teams, are currently participating in the Mental Health Student Ambassador Program (MHSA) to co-lead over 400 wellness initiatives.
We also know that affirming students鈥� identities is a critical part of mental wellness. Access to inclusive and聽聽allows students to feel seen, valued, and supported. Through the聽聽created by PSS staff, we continue to bridge wellness from the classroom to the home鈥攎aking care accessible and meaningful.
Let us carry the spirit of this week forward, with compassion, humility, and strength. Let鈥檚 continue unmasking mental health by building circles of care around our students, knowing where to go for help, and making mental wellness a shared, daily priority. For more resources, please visit the聽吃瓜黑料网 Mental Health and Well Being site.
If you have any questions and/or would like more information please email聽mentalhealthandwellbeing@tdsb.on.ca