Parent Resources
School Mental Health Ontario (SMHO)
SMHO works with Ontario school districts to support student mental health and build student resiliency. This support is provided through evidence-based leadership and coordination, resources, and implementation coaching support. The CDSBEO Mental Health Lead, Michelle Neville, engages regularly with SMHO. Their website contains a variety of resources for families, educators, school administrators and students. To learn more about SMHO, and to view their resources, please visit: www.smho-smso.ca
jack.org Covid-19 Youth Mental Health Resource Hub
Kids Help Phone has seen an unprecedented surge of young people feeling more stressed than usual reaching out during this global pandemic. With information on mental health and COVID-19 scattered all over the internet, finding accurate information and appropriate resources can be hard. Jack.org, School Mental Health Ontario and Kids Help Phone have partnered to bring you all the information needed in one easy-to-access hub so that youth mental health remains top of mind, and our communities are able to easily access the education, tools, support and reliable information they need. Visit: jack.org
Canadian Addiction Counsellors Certification Federation (CCAF) – Free Virtual Addiction Counselling Services
The Canadian Addiction Counsellors Certification Federation (CACCF) is currently offering free, one on one counselling sessions via video, phone, and online chat. CACCF is a not for profit Ontario registered organization that has been in operation for 39 years. The CACCF promotes, certifies and monitors the competency of addiction specific counsellors in Canada using current and effective practices, which are internationally recognized. Visit their website for details at: www.caccf.live.clinic/
Center for Parent and Teen Communication
“The Center for Parent and Teen Communication offers practical, science-based strategies for strengthening family connections and building youth prepared to thrive. Their multimedia content is rooted in decades of research on effective parenting and strengths-based communication techniques, and covers a range of topics geared towards promoting teens to become their best selves. Their materials can be accessed through articles, videos, podcasts, interviews, and a popular “Parenting in 100 Words” series. Full details available at: https://parentandteen.com
Checkered Flags
The checkered Flags Document is a resource developed to assist professionals in responding effectively to various issues that impact on student mental health and well-being, as well as increase the level of awareness and access to effective supports and services. The document provides general information, characteristics, available support agencies as well as practical Action Strategies for all professionals involved.
For more information, please visit www.checkeredflags.ca.
Parents’ Lifelines of Eastern Ontario (PLEO)
PLEO is a non-profit family support organization for parents and caregivers whose children, up to the age of 24, are dealing with mental health and/or addiction challenges. They are staffed with parents who also have supported their own children with these challenges – they have travelled this journey. They understand the challenges and the stresses on families but they also know there is hope, recovery is possible and they know first-hand that parents and caregivers play a significant role. Children and youth with good family support have better outcomes. Families also need support to be the supporters and advocates their children’s need. No parent should feel alone. PLEO offers a telephone support line, support groups and 1-on-1 support to families in most of our schools (the telephone support line is available to all of our schools). For more information about these services, please visit: www.pleo.on.ca
Positive Parenting Program: Triple P
Triple P is a parenting program, but it doesn’t tell you how to be a parent. It’s more like a toolbox of ideas. You choose the strategies you need. You choose the way you want to use them. It’s all about making Triple P work for you. Because all families are different, Triple P has a range of ways to offer this positive parenting program. Choose anything from single visit consultations to public seminars; group courses to private sessions. You can even do Triple P Online, at home or wherever you like! There are a variety of topics included in this program for children from tots through teens. Such topics include Helping Kids to Cope with Disappointment, The Screen Time Dilemma and Kids in the Morning – Set Routines that Work, to name only a few. For more information about Triple P, the programming they offer, and how you can register for this free program, please visit: www.triplep-parenting.ca
Togetherall
At the heart of Togetherall is its community of members who support, help each other, and share what’s troubling them in a safe and anonymous environment. This resource is intended for those ages 16 and up. The site is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year – no need to wait until morning, the next business day or for a doctors’ appointment. You can find support simply by logging on. To ensure safety and anonymity, the site is monitored by trained clinicians, who are online 24/7. They know that finding help when you’re distressed can be hard, so their clinicians are also there to help you feel welcome and guide you on how to get the most from their services. To learn more about this free resource in Ontario, please visit: www.togetherall.com
Bounce Back Ontario
If you’re experiencing low mood, depression, and anxiety, BounceBack can help. Through BounceBack, adults and youth 15+ learn skills to help manage worry and anxiety, combat unhelpful thinking, and become more active and assertive. BounceBack offers two forms of help: BounceBack Today online videos and BounceBack telephone coaching and workbooks. Both of these programs can be completed from the comfort of your own home, so no need to attend a counsellor’s office. This second program involves three to six telephone coaching sessions. Your coach is there to help you develop new skills, keep you motivated, and monitor how you’re doing. You and your coach will select from among 20 workbook topics that are best suited to your current needs. Some popular workbooks are: Being assertive, Changing extreme and unhelpful thinking, and Overcoming sleep problems. Telephone coaching is currently available in the following languages: English, French, Arabic, Bengali, Cantonese, Farsi, Hindi, Italian, Mandarin, Punjabi, Russian, Spanish, Tamil, Ukrainian, and Urdu. If you would like to learn more about this free program in Ontario, please visit: www.bouncebackontario.ca
Know What To Do Cards
In partnership with our community agencies, including Suicide Prevention Ottawa, the CDSBEO has created Know What To Do Cards to help those supporting someone with suicidal ideation to know how they can respond, support and offer hope. The resource details signs to watch for, and provides guidance on what someone can say and do to offer the struggling individual the help that they need. All CDSBEO staff who attend the ASIST training (see Programs/Initiatives), and all CDSBEO staff and students who attend safeTALK training (see Programs/Initiatives) are provided a hard copy of this colourful, fold-out resource.
Please click here for a copy: Know What To Do - Suicide Prevention Brochure
211 Ontario
211 is the source Canadians trust when seeking information and services to deal with life’s challenges. 211’s award-winning telephone help line (simply dial 2-1-1) and website provide a gateway to community, social, non-clinical health and related government services. 211 helps to navigate the complex network of human services quickly and easily, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, in over 100 languages. 211 connects people to the right information and services, strengthens Canada’s health and human services, and helps Canadians become more engaged with their communities. If you are looking for any resource in Ontario, including mental health services and support groups, simply dial 2-1-1, or visit their website at: 211.ca
Anxiety Canada: Youth
Anxiety is the most prevalent mental health concern noted amongst school staff, parents and students alike. The CDSBEO is committed to supporting students when facing anxiety-provoking situations so that they can conquer their anxiety and master new skills. Explicitly teaching anxiety-reducing techniques is embedded within the CDSBEO schools. One resource that is often used to help educate youth about anxiety, and how to overcome anxiety, is Anxiety Canada: Youth. This youth-friendly website offers students information about what anxiety is, facing their fears, coping strategies and healthy habits. There are a number of videos also available on the site that depict young people dealing with their anxiety and, eventually, overcoming it. To view this website, please visit: www.youth.anxietycanada.com
eMentalHealth.ca
eMentalHealth.ca is a non-profit initiative of the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) dedicated to improving the mental health of children, youth and families. If you are looking for information about mental health, and where to find help, eMentalHealth.ca provides anonymous, confidential and trustworthy information, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Features include:
• Mental Health Help (i.e. directory of mental health services and organizations)
• Info Sheets: Information about a variety of mental health conditions and topics
• Screening Tools: Find out if you or a loved one has a mental health concern with free online screening tools
• Events Calendar: Information about mental health events in your area
• News Feed: Information about the latest mental health news
• Research directory: Information about research studies in your area