Student Mental Health and Well-Being: Summer Support
As we head into summer break, we want to remind all students and families that support is available during July and August. You never have to navigate difficult situations alone.
If you are having a difficult time, feeling overwhelmed, worried about your own safety or concerned about a friend, please reach out to a caring adult. Talk to a parent, caregiver, family member, coach, elder or another trusted adult in your life.
Sometimes young people worry about getting a friend in trouble or breaking a promise, but when someone's well-being is involved, telling an adult is one of the most caring things you can do. You don't need to decide whether a situation is "serious enough" to get help—asking for help is a sign of strength.
There are caring adults ready to support you. If you need support over the summer, getting in touch is easy:
Immediate and crisis support
- Emergency (Call 911): If you feel you could be in immediate danger or there is an immediate risk to someone else's safety, call 911 or go to your nearest hospital right away.
- Non-emergency (988): Call or text 988 anytime for crisis support.
Professional counselling and therapy
- Kids Help Phone: E-mental health services and professional counselling are available 24/7 across Canada.
- Call: 1-800-668-6868
- Text: Text CONNECT to 686868. If you identify as Indigenous, you can text FIRST NATIONS, INUIT, or METIS to be connected with a First Nations, Inuk or Métis crisis responder.
- Online: Visit KidsHelpPhone.ca to chat online, access the Peer-to-Peer Community to connect with other youth, or try self-assessments, mindfulness exercises and games.
- One Stop Talk: Free, confidential immediate mental health support with a registered therapist or clinician for kids and teens (under 18) living in Ontario. Start with a conversation, leave with a plan.
- Hours: Monday to Friday, 12 PM-8 PM EST and Saturday, 12 PM-4 PM EST (Connect at least one hour before closing to ensure a session).
- Connect: Call 1-855-416-8255 or connect online via a video or audio call.
- Online: onestoptalk.ca
Please take care of yourselves and one another this summer. Remember, help is available.