In the 2025-2028 plan, four priority areas have been identified. These priority areas represent the important groups of people that are partners in the plan. It is organized in this way to help any student, family member, caregiver, staff or community member find their place in the plan.

Each year, an annual action and implementation plan is created within the context of these priority areas. It includes not just goals, but also the associated action items.

Priority #1 – Supporting Students

Students, and their unique experiences of positive mental health and well-being, are the central focus in this plan. They are our “why”.

Priority #1 Goals

1. Student engagement and partnership:
   • As the experts on their experiences, we want to engage students in the development and leadership of student wellness activities.
2. Co-creation of mentally healthy schools and classrooms:
   • Mentally healthy schools and classrooms are created collaboratively with students and staff.
   • Students play an important role in creating an environment where each student can experience a sense of belonging and positive mental health.
3. Student learning:
   • At both local and provincial levels students have shared a desire to learn more about mental health and well-being in order to support their own well-being, as well as equip them to support friends when needed.
4. Support support:
   • When students are in need of support, clear pathways and protocols guide them to identity-affirming supports and services.

Priority # 2 – Engaging with Families

While families and caregivers have long been seen as important partners in supporting student mental health and well-being, we are amplifying this focus for the 2025-2028 plan.

Priority #2 Goals:

1. Family engagement and partnership:
   • In this plan we commit to authentic and meaningful engagement with families in order to partner together to support the well-being of students.
2. Family learning:
   • Families have identified a strong interest in learning about mental health and well-being alongside their children.
     • This plan includes ongoing activities to respond to the learning interests of parents and caregivers.

Priority #3 – Supporting Staff

While our roles and scope of practice varies, we all have a role to play in supporting student mental health and well-being.

Priority #3 Goals

1. Staff learning and engagement:
   • Staff have also shared a strong interest in learning about mental health and well-being in order to feel equipped to teach the growing amount of mental health and well-being curriculum.
     • This plan includes PD opportunities based on the top learning interests identified by each group of staff surveyed.
2. Co-creation of mentally healthy schools and classrooms:
   • Mentally healthy schools and classrooms are created collaboratively with students and staff.
   • Staff have an important role to play in creating structures, processes and environments where students can experience a sense of belonging and positive mental health.

Priority #4 – Collaborating with Community

Students, along with their families and schools, exist within a vibrant and engaged community here in Waterloo Region.

Priority #4 Goals

1. Working together to support student mental health and well-being:
   • Education has an important role to play in supporting student mental health and well-being but this is not our work alone.
   • We are part of a broader system of care that exists to support students or all identities and across the tiers of support- from prevention to intervention, to intensive treatment.
2. Coordinated responses to emerging student needs:
   • We are fortunate to have a passionate, engaged and collaborative network of grassroots, health care and social service organizations in this region.
   • As needs emerge it is important to work together to respond, leveraging organizational strengths as well as the power of collaboration.

For more detailed information about the work we have planned for the 2025-2026 school year, please refer to the 2025-2026 Action and Implementation Plan.