May 6th, 2024

Since 1951, the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) has hosted Mental Health Week during the first week in May, making 2024 the 73rd year. Mental Health Week is a Canadian tradition, with communities, schools and workplaces rallying to celebrate, protect and promote mental health.

This week, the Waterloo Region District School Board (WRDSB) is celebrating Mental Health Week alongside CMHA and many organizations across Ontario. Mental health is such an important component of the overall well-being of students and staff. We continue to recognize and create environments that allow WRDSB students and staff to have the necessary support and resources they need to thrive.

More than ever, we know that mental health affects everyone. We also recognize the importance of ensuring that we are providing resources that are linguistically and culturally relevant and responsive. We are also mindful that our approach to supporting mental health and well-being needs to be identity-affirming and inclusive of all WRDSB students and staff.

#CompassionConnects

This year, the theme of Mental Health Week is #CompassionConnects. We can all use a little more compassion, whether it’s at work, at school or in our day-to-day lives.

“We all have the capacity to be compassionate, and we know that doing so can make an enormous difference. This year’s Mental Health Week is centered on the healing power of compassion. In a world plagued by suffering, we emphasize that kindness is equally intrinsic to our humanity.” – CMHA Mental Health Week

We encourage WRDSB students and families to review the resources and supports available through our website: www.wrdsb.ca/mentalhealth. 

How to participate

In keeping with CMHA’s theme on Compassion, here are resources Check out the CMHA’s resources  for Mental Health Week:

Need immediate help?

Here 24/7 is your front door to the addictions, mental health, and crisis services provided by 11 agencies across Waterloo Wellington. They do the intake, assessment, referral, crisis, waitlist and appointment booking work for these important programs. In Crisis or Need Support? Call 1-844-HERE247 (1-844-437-3247) anytime.

Front Door works with families, caregivers, children and youth (up to their 18th birthday) who are struggling with life’s challenges such as:

  • Emotions 
  • Behaviours 
  • Relationships
  • Mental health

Kids Help Phone is Canada’s only 24/7 e-mental health service offering free, confidential support to kids, teens and young adults in English and French. Start a confidential conversation with a real person you can trust by calling 1-800-668-6868 or texting 686868.

If your matter is urgent, please call 911 or go to the nearest hospital emergency department.

Other Mental Health Resources 

Distress Lines

  • Naseeha – Muslim mental health helpline and resources- 1-866-627-3342 (available 24/7)
  • Black Youth Helpline – 1-833-294-8650 (9am-10pm daily)
  • Suicide Prevention Crisis Line – Call or text 988 (available 24/7)
  • LGBT Youthline – 1-800-268-9688 or text 1-647-694-4275 (available Sunday to Friday 4-9pm)
  • Hope for Wellness Helpline – Immediate mental health counseling and crisis intervention to all Indigenous peoples 

Local Services

Other Resources