We consider mental health and well-being to be a crucial part of our community's success. Our commitment is to provide a safe and supportive environment at the Greater Essex County District School Board (GECDSB).
The Student Mental Health and Well-Being Action Plan
The Student Mental Health and Well-Being Action Plan emphasizes the importance of centering the whole student in our work. Students’ well-being encompasses their physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual health, all within the context of their identities and intersectionalities.
Student mental health and well-being is a shared responsibility. Families and caregivers are vital in promoting and supporting their students’ educational journeys. We aim to engage caregivers in mental health literacy alongside students and staff to foster well-being across our schools.
All staff share the collective responsibility for promoting, preventing, and supporting mental health.
Mental Health and Well-Being Resources
Review the links below to find support and resources for employees, students and their families who are experiencing challenges with mental health.
Bullying prevention and intervention
Learn about our bullying prevention and intervention plans that support students who are experiencing a form of bullying at school. Find out how we are increasing education, awareness and outreach about bullying prevention to engage all members of the GECDSB.
- Ministry of Education: Province of Ontario
- Bullying Canada
- PREVNet (Promoting Relationships and Eliminating Violence Network – University of Calgary)
- SMHO (School Mental Health Ontario)
- Essex County Youth Diversion
Employee support
Find employee well-being resources including Resiliency Building training modules.
Family support
Find family supports that will connect you with resources to help your child who is going through mental health challenges.
Student support
View our student supports to find community resources that will support students through their mental health challenges.
| Teen Health |
| Address: 1361 Ouellette Ave. Unit 101
Phone: 519-253-8481 Ages: 12-24 The weCHC – The Teen Health team works in an inter-professional, collaborative environment in downtown Windsor. Teen Health provides free and confidential services for youth 12-24 years of age. Call to book an appointment and learn more about their services and support systems. |
| Substance Abuse Program for African & Caribbean Canadian Youth (SAPACCY) |
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SAPACCY is a program that provides community-based mental health and/or substance use services that are holistic, anti-oppressive, Africentric, and culturally safe for Black youth and their families/caregivers. Youth may self-refer by calling 519-253-8481 or be referred by health and other social service providers. Once a referral is received, a SAPACCY staff member will contact the individual to assess and schedule an intake appointment at a location that is most convenient for the individual/family. |
| Maryvale Adolescent and Family Services |
| Website: https://www.maryvale.ca/services/
Address: 3640 Wells St. Windsor Address: Atlas Tube Centre 447 Renaud Line Rd. Belle River (*by appointment only) Address: Essex Centre Sports Complex 60 Fairview W. Essex (*by appointment only) Address: LaSalle Town Hall 5950 Malden Rd. LaSalle (*by appointment only) Address: Nature Fresh Farms Recreation Centre Leamington (*Walk-in services Wednesday 10 a.m.-4 p.m.) Ages: 13-17 Intake: 519-258-0549 ext. 2154 Services include Outpatient Therapy, Day Treatment Programs, Family Navigation Services, Parent Coach and Resource Facilitator |
| Children First |
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Children First provides services for families with children up to six years of age who are at risk for or experiencing mental health challenges or developmental concerns. Website: https://www.children-first.ca/ Address: 105-2565 Ouellette Ave. Windsor Phone: 519-250-1850 Ages: Up to age 6 |
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Hotel-Dieu Grace Healthcare (HDGH) – Regional Children's Centre |
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Serves children and youth between the ages of 6-12 years who are presenting with a range of mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, trauma reactions, etc. Intervention may include therapy (i.e. individual, group, parental, family), psychoeducational or skill-based groups. Website: https://www.hdgh.org/rccwalkin Address: 3901 Connaught St., Windsor, or phone 519-257-5437 (519-257-KIDS) Ages: 6-12 Hours: Monday – Thursday – 8:00 am – 8:00 pm, Friday – 8:00 am – 4:30 pm |
Emergency services
If your child or teen says they cannot stop thinking about suicide and has a plan to hurt themselves, call 911 or go to your local hospital emergency room immediately:
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Windsor Regional Hospital – Met Campus 1995 Lens Ave., Windsor Emergency Room Ages: Up to age 16 |
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Windsor Regional Hospital Ouellette Campus 1030 Ouellette Ave., Windsor Emergency Room Ages: 16 and over |
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Erie Shores Health Care 194 Talbot St. West, Leamington Emergency Room Ages: All ages |
Walk-in mental health support
If you need immediate care and cannot safely wait for community mental health and addiction support, check out these walk-in centres who are here to help.
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Addiction Assessment and Referral |
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Address: 500 Ouellette Ave. Windsor or phone (519) 257-5224 Website: https://www.hdgh.org/MHADowntownCampus Ages: 16 and up Hours: Walk-in Tuesday and Thursday 1:30 p.m.-4 p.m. *Non-crisis mental health and substance use services
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Mental Health and Addictions Crisis Urgent Care Centre (MHAUCC) |
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Visit the Mental Health and Addictions Crisis Urgent Care Centre (MHAUCC) for immediate care. Address: 1030 Ouellette Ave. Windsor or phone (519) 257-5111 ext. 77968 Ages: 16 and up Hours: Walk-in Crisis 7 days per week 8 a.m.-8 p.m. *THE MHAUCC is a central access point for adults or youth aged 16 years or older who cannot safely wait for community mental health and addiction support. The service is intended for those experiencing a mental health or addictions crisis or who are having an acute and serious need who are at risk of worsening mental health condition that may require hospitalization. |
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Hotel-Dieu Grace Healthcare (HDGH) – Regional Children's Centre |
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Visit the Regional Children's Centre for immediate care. The RCC Counselling Clinic provides quick, confidential access to mental health services for children, youth and their families. Address: 3901 Connaught St., Windsor, or phone 519-257-5437 (519-257-KIDS) Ages: up to age 18 Hours: Monday – Thursday – 8:00 a.m.-6:30 p.m., Friday – 8 a.m.–3 p.m. WEConnect Kids is a program for children, youth and their families who are not sure where to start in accessing mental health and addiction services in Windsor-Essex. The professionals will connect you with the right local program and service that best meets your unique need. |
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Youth Wellness Hub Windsor-Essex |
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The Youth Wellness Hub Windsor-Essex offers free services to youth ages 12 to 25 without a wait list or referral. Address: 106-215 Eugenie W, Windsor Address: Bridge Youth Resource Centre (310 Sherk St., Leamington) Address: The House Youth Centre (400-320 Richmond St., Amherstburg) Ages: 12-25 Hours: Check the Youth Wellness Hub Windsor-Essex's website under the events section to see the monthly calendar of events for a variety of other services. Access to mental health, substance use services, primary care, community, and social services. No wait times, walk-in services available |
Phone mental health support
If you need immediate help, view these phone supports that are here for you.
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Suicide Crisis Helpline: Reach out to 9-8-8 |
Experienced, well-trainer partners across the country will be available to provide support where and when people need it the most. |
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Kids Help Phone |
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Kids Help Phone allows you to chat with a trained, volunteer crisis responder for support any time, about anything. Indigenous youth can connect with an Indigenous volunteer crisis responder, when available, by messaging FIRST NATIONS, INUIT, or METIS to 686868 Phone: 1-800-668-6868 OR text CONNECT to 686868 Hours: 24-hour crisis line Ages: Up to the age of 29 |
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Community Crisis Centre |
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Call the Community Crisis Centre at 519-973-4435 for 24-hour crisis line support if you are over age 16. |
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Maryvale Adolescent and Family Services |
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Website: https://www.maryvale.ca/services/ Call in Line Single session phone services for youth and their families who are not connected to a therapist. Please note that this is not a crisis service. Phone:519-419-1397 Hours: Monday to Friday 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. (last call taken at 4 p.m.) Ages: 13-18
Parent Support Call-In Service Phone: 519-419-1949 Hours: Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. (last call taken at 5 p.m.) Ages: Parents/Caregivers of youth ages 13-17 Parents/caregivers will be supported in managing family issues by a Triple P (Positive Parenting Program) trained staff over the phone in a single session. Parenting strategies with a focus on developing positive relationships and improving communication will be provided. |
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Windsor-Essex Counselling Support Line |
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Call the Windsor-Essex Counselling Support Line at 519-946-3277 or 1-877-451-1055 for mild to moderate distress situations. This support line is open 24-hours and is open to those who are 18 or older. |
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LGBT Youth Line |
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Contact the LGBT Youth Line for mental health support by:
Hours: 4 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Sunday to Friday At Youth Line, all volunteers are trained peer supporters ages 16 to 29 with a diversity in 2SLGBTQ + identities and lived experiences. |
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Hope for Wellness |
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The Hope for Wellness Help Line offers immediate help to all Indigenous peoples across Canada. It is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to offer counselling and crisis intervention.
Phone: 1-855-242-3310 or connect to the online chat at www.hopeforwellness.ca Hours: 24-hour support line |
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Black Youth Helpline |
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Call Black Youth Helpline for mental health support by:
Hours: 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily Black Youth Helpline serves all youth and specifically responds to the need for a Black youth specific service, positioned and resourced to promote access to professional, culturally appropriate support for youth, families and schools. |
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One Stop Talk |
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One Stop Talk is an innovative, free service designed to address the urgent mental health needs of children and youth. Recognizing the growing challenges faced by young individuals, this service provides immediate access to mental health support when and where it is needed most. One Stop Talk is committed to delivering culturally safe and appropriate care across every corner of the province. With a team of certified therapists whose diverse experiences and backgrounds reflect the communities they serve, the service ensures that every child and youth feels seen, understood, and supported in their unique journey. |
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Naseeha Mental Health Hotline |
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Contact Naseeha Mental Health Hotline at 1-866-627-3342 for 24-hour support. We answer calls seven days a week from around the world to support Muslim and non-Muslim youth. Naseeha Mental Health has been a great bridge for individuals who are going through life's challenges. Where hope is lost, Naseeha is found. We provide a safe zone for youths and individuals to talk and get the help they need. |
Mental health resources
Find free mental health resources available to support your needs.
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Bounce Back |
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Bounce Back is a free skill-building program managed by the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA). It is designed to help adults and youth age 15 and over manage low mood, mild to moderate depression and anxiety, and stress or worry. Delivered over the phone with a coach and through online videos, you will get access to tools that will support you on your path to mental wellness. |
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Anxiety Canada |
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Anxiety Canada offers access interactive anxiety tools and resources for children, youth and adults. You can find information and resources on:
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Ministry of Ontario Mental Health Services During COVID-19 |
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The Ministry of Ontario Mental Health Services provides resources and support for those who have challenges with mental health, wellness, and addictions. It also helps you:
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Jack.org |
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Visit Jack.org to find empowering resources and training to join other young leaders to revolutionize mental health across Canada. Find mental health resources to educate yourself today! |
What is mental health?
Mental health is defined as a state of well-being in which every person can realize their own potential, is able to cope with stressors of daily life, and is able to engage and contribute to the overall community (World Health Organization, 2018).
What is well-being?
The nature of well-being is complex and means different things to different people. Well-being can be understood to be a positive sense of self, spirit and belonging that is felt when our cognitive, emotional, social and physical needs are being met. It is supported through equity and respect for our diverse identities and strengths.
The four domains of well-being
Learn about the four domains of well-being to understand the different dimensions of what well-being consists of:
- Physical – The development of the body, impacted by physical activity, sleep patterns, healthy eating and healthy life choices
- Cognitive – The development of abilities and skills such as critical thinking, problem solving, creativity and the ability to be flexible and innovative
- Emotional – This involves learning about experiencing emotions, and understanding how to recognize, manage and cope with them
- Social – The development of self-awareness including the sense of belonging, collaboration, relationship with others and communication skills