Mental Health Week | May 4–8, 2026 

This Year's Theme: Pause Before You Act

This simple Pause strategy supports the thinking brain and feeling brain to work together to make better choices, be kind, and have good mental health. Each day of Mental Health Week, we explore a new pause strategy to help us slow down and think clearly. These strategies are for everyone: students, staff, and families. They connect to the support available at school and in the community.

A Week of Learning and Leadership in Schools

We are so fortunate for the leadership across various groups who have planned an exciting week of daily announcements, classroom activities, and student-led initiatives.

• Elementary and secondary educator mental health advisory groups, in consultation with the administrator mental health advisory group, prepared the educator classroom resources.
• The Student Senate and Secondary School Support Counsellors are leading student-led initiatives.
• Student Trustee Bronwynn Dick developed a video to support Mental Health Awareness Week across our district.

Thank you to all RCDSB staff for the work you do every day to support students — and for bringing Mental Health Week to life in your schools.

 

How Can Parents/ Caregivers Participate?    

• Each evening, inquire about the daily Pause strategy to reinforce these skills. 
• Follow our social media posts on Facebook and Instagram to learn about the daily Pause strategy and resources to practice it at home for good mental health. 
• Visit By Your Side: a parent online learning hub through School Mental Health Ontario. 
• Watch a short video developed by Student Trustee, Bronwynn Dick, to promote Mental Health Week. 
• Watch a short video to learn about the thinking brain and emotional brain.
• Learn about supports available at school and in the community