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Mental Health & Well-Being at AMDSB

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AMDSB Mental Health & Well-Being (MHWB) Team

Brown trunk tree with colourful hands for leaves.The AMDSB Mental Health & Well-Being (MHWB) Team consists of a Mental Health Lead, Mental Health System Navigation Counsellor, and Mental Health Counsellors assigned to both elementary and secondary schools across the district. All members of the team are registered health professionals.

The MHWB Team provides school-wide mental health promotion, prevention, intervention, and counselling services to all students across the district.

Mental Health and Well-Being Counselling is a voluntary, brief intervention that is driven by the student's specific goals and needs. It aims to address difficulties that may interfere with emotional, social, or educational well-being, while providing education, practical tools, and strategies to effectively support students' needs.

Our Partnership with School Mental Health Ontario

At AMDSB, we work closely with School Mental Health Ontario, a provincial team that supports school districts across Ontario. SMHO provides evidence-based strategies, tools, and services that help us take a systematic and comprehensive approach to supporting student mental health. Their resources guide our work and ensure that the programs we offer are grounded in research and best practices.

By using SMHO Tiered Model of Support, we can promote mental health and well-being for ALL students; help to identify SOME students with, or at risk of developing, mental health problems; and access clinical support for the FEW students who require more intensive intervention. 

AMDSB Mental Health & Well-Being Strategic Plan (2024-2027)

Our 2024-2027 Mental Health & Well-Being Strategic Plan aligns with the Ministry of Education PPM 169 and aims to address service gaps, enhance capacity across all levels, and involve staff, students, and caregivers in mental health promotion and literacy. We recognize the crucial link between mental health and academic success, thus prioritizing staff training in evidence-based interventions, social-emotional learning, and system navigation to meet diverse student needs.
 
Central to our approach are culturally responsive, identity-affirming, trauma-informed practices that foster belonging, connection, and mentally healthy school communities. Our Mental Health & Well-Being Three-Year Strategic Plan is tied to the AMDSB Strategic Plan and will foster a collaborative culture that supports and enhances the well-being of students and staff.
 

AMDSB Mental Health and Well-Being One-Year Action Plan (current school year)

Check out our Mental Health and Well-Being One-Year Action Plan for the current school year! 
 

Promoting Positive Mental Health at AMDSB

Mental health and well-being prevention and promotion are an important part of school communities as we work to reduce stigma and open up the conversation about mental health.
 
In our AMDSB schools, we all share responsibility in working together to foster Mentally Healthy Schools and Classrooms. When parents, students and staff engage in activities of prevention and promotion, students feel supported in times of need. During Awareness Days, students, staff, and parents/guardians are encouraged to learn more about mental health and well-being.
 
Awareness Days are an excellent opportunity for student-led and parent/guardian-led promotion and prevention across the system.
 

Mental Health Promotion Days

  • September 10: World Suicide Prevention Day
  • October 10: World Mental Health Day
  • Late January: Mental Health Awareness Week
  • Early March: Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Day
  • First week of May: Children's Mental Health Week

Resources