May 6th, 2025
Since 1951, the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) has hosted Mental Health Week during the first week in May. Mental Health Week is a Canadian tradition, with communities, schools and workplaces rallying to celebrate, protect and promote mental health.
Mental Health Week in the WRDSB
This week, the Waterloo Region District School Board (WRDSB) is celebrating Mental Health Week alongside CMHA. Mental health is an important component of the overall well-being of students and staff. We continue to recognize and create environments that provide the supports and resources we all need to thrive.
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
- Inclusive of all WRDSB students and staff
Unmasking Mental Health
This year the theme of Mental Health Week is Unmasking Mental Health. Living with a mental health challenge is hard enough; masking can make it even harder.
“By embracing honesty and vulnerability, we open the door to deeper connections and the mental health benefits that come with it. In doing so, we can create a ripple effect of courage and understanding across the country.” – CMHA Mental Health Week
We encourage WRDSB students and families to review the mental health resources and supports available on our website.
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 for all Indigenous peoples
Local Services
- Muslim Social Services – Spiritually and culturally sensitive social services and counselling – 519-772-4399 x2707
- Kind Minds Family Wellness – Afrocentric/culturally grounded counselling- 226-336-1988
- Camino Wellbeing + Mental Health – Newcomer Wellbeing Program, other services – 519-743-6333
- OK2BME – supportive services for Two-Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Queer, Intersex, Asexual and questioning youth and adults. 519-884-0000
- Ray of Hope – Youth Addictions – 519-743-2311
- Southwest Ontario Aboriginal Health Access Centre (SOAHAC): purpose is to improve access to, and the quality of, health services for First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples in the spirit of partnership, mutual respect and sharing. 1-877-454-0753