Mental Health and Wellbeing

Mental Health and Wellbeing

The Renfrew County District School Board (RCDSB) recognizes that mental health and wellbeing are essential to achievement and student success. With the guidance of the Ministry of Education and School Mental Health Ontario, our Mental Health Leader works collaboratively to engage in a three-year strategic planning cycle, with yearly action plans designed to be responsive to the needs of student mental health in Renfrew County.   

We invite everyone to join us on our journey to Lead with CARE. Lead with CARE is our motto for student mental health and represents our tiered pathway for mental health promotion, prevention and intervention. Everyone can Lead with CARE to promote mental health and wellbeing. One of the ways you can Lead with CARE is by taking time everyday to care for ourselves, while caring for each other.  

Lead with CARE outlines clear pathways to support student mental health and wellbeing.  Community resources for staff, parents and families are also provided, as we recognize the importance of supporting the adults that care for students.  

We are committed to providing a safe, nurturing environment where every student feels valued and a sense of belonging. Students who feel attached to their school or a significant adult there, report less substance abuse, fewer incidents of bullying and victimization, better school attendance and stronger academic performance.

Reach Out for Help

For more information or to access mental health supports and services at school for students, please contact the School Support Counselor, Principal or Vice Principal. View our staff contact information for each school. 

As per the tiered pathway of mental health response, the School Support Counsellor, Principal and Vice-Principal work collaboratively with students and parents/guardians, as required, to determine student needs.  The School Support Counsellor will use various methods of assessment to identify needs, develop service plans and monitor student progress to support mental health promotion and prevention throughout the school year.  The School Support Counsellor, through collaboration with the Principal,  Vice-Principal and/or School Board Social Worker, will make recommendations to refer to additional mental health professionals at the school board and or community level.  Please see additional resources below.

For students in remote learning classrooms, students can email studentmentalhealthsupports@rcdsb.on.ca Someone from our mental health team will respond and connect the student with the School Support Counsellor from their home school.

If you require immediate assistance, please call 9-1-1 or visit your local emergency room. If you require support outside of school hours, and/or information about mental health resources in the community, please use the following resources:

The RCDSB collaborates with many supports to assist students experiencing mental health challenges. We engage:

In cooperation with seven community care agencies, the RCDSB is a founding partner on a Suicide Prevention, Intervention and Postvention Protocol (Administrative Procedure 399 - Suicide Prevention, Intervention, Postvention) The document outlines how each organization has a role and sets out a clear pathway to support staff and students as they develop the knowledge and skills to respond to the mental health needs of students within the RCDSB family.

Additional Resources

Safe Schools Initiative
  • Click here to access the Renfrew County Community Threat Assessment Protocol and fair notice. 
COVID-19 Related Information 
Mental Health Promotion Strategies
Mental Health and Well-Being Plans

Helping Students Prepare for End of Term Exams and Stress