June 30th, 2021
As our students and families prepare for a well-deserved summer break, after an extraordinarily challenging school year, we want you to know that resources and support are available during the summer months.
Mental Health Non-Crisis Phone and Virtual Support
The 2020-21 school year continued to have many changes and challenges for students, parents and caregivers. In recognition of the significant impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Ministry of Education has made it possible to provide short term mental health support for July and August 2021. These services are available to any students and their parents or caregivers registered with Waterloo Region District School Board (WRDSB).
Our WRDSB Social Workers are available to consult about your concerns, engage in well-being check-ins and help with navigating community resources.
Connect with a WRDSB Social Worker
To speak to a WRDSB Social Worker:
- Email: socialworksupport@wrdsb.ca
- Call: 519-570-0003, ext. 4580
- Press 2 before entering the extension
Staff will be available Monday to Friday from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm and will respond to your request for support within 48 hours, excluding weekends. Support will be provided virtually or over the phone.
This is not a crisis or emergency service. If you, or a loved one, are in crisis, call HERE 24/7 at 1-844-437-3247 or go to your nearest hospital.
We are offering free interactive, fun information sessions about stress and anxiety and how they can be managed. These sessions offered by Board mental health professionals will be hosted jointly with the Waterloo Catholic District School Board (WCDSB). These one-hour workshops, scheduled over two weeks in August, will help students and their families to learn and develop more ways to manage stress and anxiety.
How To Pre-Register
Once pre-registered, you will receive the Zoom meeting link via email.
Community Well-Being Hubs
Worried about your child’s well-being? Wondering about when to be concerned or get help? Need more resources to meet the health and well-being needs of your family?
Talk to your school board and community service partners’ staff about any of your family’s concerns. We have resources and support to connect you to sources of help including parent to parent support from Parents for Children’s Mental Health (PCMH).
We can also provide assistance in accessing and navigating community resources such as:
- The Front Door Access to Child Youth Services
- Carizon Family and Community Services
- Lutherwood
- Ray of Hope Youth Addiction Services
- Home and Community Care Support Services Mental Health and Addiction Nurses
When and where
Families can meet with mental health professionals, community and other parents at the dates and times below:
Cambridge
- When: Tuesday, August 17 from 2:00 to 5:00 pm
- Where: Greenway-Chaplin Community Centre 116 Rouse Ave.
Kitchener
- When: Monday, August 23 from 12:00 to 3:00 pm
- Where: Victoria Hills Community Centre 10 Chopin Dr.
Waterloo
- When: Wednesday, August 25 from 12:00 to 3:00 pm
- Where: Erb West 45 Amos Ave.
Community Resources
Mental Health Resources
In the Mental Health Resources section of the WRDSB website, you’ll find a selection of resources to assist students, parents and caregivers in supporting their own well-being. This will serve as a living resource, and we will continue to update it.
Mental Health and Addiction Nurses
Students, parents and caregivers can access mental health and addiction nurses via the WRDSB Mental Health Non-Crisis Phone Support, outlined above.
Learn more about Mental Health and Addictions Nurses.
Here 24/7 is continuing to provide phone support including crisis support for individuals.
- Call: 1-844-437-3247
- Website: Here 24/7
Front Door is your starting point for accessing child and youth mental health services and supports in Waterloo Region.
- Call: (519) 749-2932
- Website: frontdoormentalhealth.com
Ray of Hope is committed to helping youth struggling with addiction to learn healthy alternatives and coping strategies so that they and their families can reclaim a healthy, productive life free from addiction.
Learn more about Ray of Hope Youth Addiction services.
Community Nutrition Program | Nutrition for Learning
The Community Nutrition Program ensures the continuation of support of nutrition programs for all students and families in our community when schools are closed.
Please check the Nutrition for Learning website for up-to-date information.
Family Compass Waterloo Region is an online tool that provides one starting point for families and youth, making it easier to navigate all the available options and find help when trying to find health, social or recreational services and programs. You have three doors to choose from once you enter the site:
- Search for Services – search for local health, social and recreational services for children and youth in Waterloo Region
- I Have a Concern – a service finder tool directs families and youth to the most appropriate starting service provider, to help address concerns in a child or youth’s development.
- Resources for Parents – this will take you to ParentingNow, a website that provides resources for parents to learn, find support and connect with other parents
Online Resources
School Mental Health Ontario (SMHO) have created two new resources to help support parents or caregivers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- How do you know if you should be concerned about your child or teen’s mental health and well-being?
- Suicide Prevention Guide for Parents and Families During COVID-19 and Return to School
Children’s Mental Health Ontario (CMHO)
The CMHO Family Care Centre is a resource hub for parents and caregivers of children and youth with mental illness.
Jack.org is a newly created national youth website for young Canadians addressing the impact of COVID-19. The site brings together resources and self-help information through an innovative partnership between jack.org, SMH-ON and the Kids Help-Phone.
- Call: 1-800-688-6868
- Text: Kids Help Phone crisis text line 686868 (English) or PARLER (French) to 686868
- Website: kidshelpphone.ca/live-chat
OK2BME
OK2BME is a set of support services for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or questioning (LGBTQ) kids and teens in the Waterloo Region.
LGBT Youth Line offers confidential and non-judgemental peer support through our telephone, text and chat services. Get in touch with a peer support volunteer from Sunday to Friday, 4:00PM to 9:30 PM.
- Call: 1-800-268-9688
- Text: 647-694-4275
- Website: youthline.ca
More online resources:
- Wellness Emotional Support for Youth Online Counselling
- BounceBack free skill-building program