For this three-year strategic planning cycle, the following areas will be areas of intentional focus:

Leadership Commitment

Leaders have a key role to play in supporting the creation of mentally healthy environments for all students. This work is well underway at the WRDSB. We are committed to continuing system and school leadership training opportunities and conversations. This will allow us to build a shared commitment to supporting student:

  • Mental health
  • Well-being

Evidence and Monitoring

Implementation and outcome indicators, and measurement tools allow us to:

  • Understand student needs
  • Monitor the uptake and effectiveness of our efforts
  • Make informed decisions about supporting student mental health

Examining data:

  • Helps us understand the effectiveness of our strategies
  • Illuminates disproportionate impact for students who are racialized, marginalized or disadvantaged.

System and school leaders, the mental health leadership team and equity partners, share a critical role in evaluating and responding to indicators that demonstrate progress in school mental health and well-being.

Internal and External Communication

Establishing clear, shared language:

  • Assists with communication
  • Builds mental health fluency within and across schools
  • Supports system coherence

Regular fact-based communication about mental health:

  • Builds knowledge and confidence about services and supports provided
  • May reduce stigma related to help-seeking amongst students, parents and caregivers

Engaging and informing stakeholders and partners about the School Mental Health Strategy and related programming helps with meaningful collaboration.

Engagement and Collaboration

Promoting student mental health is work we do in partnership with:

  • Students
  • Families and caregivers
  • Community partners

Ongoing engagement with those who are most involved:

  • Helps to build shared ownership
  • Leads to more impactful outcomes

Collaboration is key in the shaping of initiatives will help to ensure that practices are:

  • Identity-affirming
  • Relevant
  • Culturally responsive