Special Mental Health Edition

December 2023 • Issue #51

Learning opportunities and initiatives demonstrating commitment to Thames Valley's Strategic Priorities and Operational Goals

Student Trustee Campaign for

 Student Mental Health

TVDSB Student Trustees Jana Anan, Sir Frederick Nicholas and Savrup Saran recently took part in two videos that will be featured in the board's mental health awareness campaign next month. These videos aim to educate students about who they can reach out to in their schools if they are experiencing mental health concerns such as feelings of stress or overwhelm.   



The above video was created for Secondary Students. The Student Trustees were also featured in a version for Elementary students.

Mental Health Literacy for Grade 7/8 Students

This fall, the Ministry of Education introduced a series of mental health literacy lessons for grade 7 and 8 students. These lessons support the existing mental health literacy expectations within the Health and Physical Education curriculum. Thames Valley has been rolling out professional development for all grade 7 and 8 Health and Physical Education teachers to support them in delivering this critical content. 

The lessons are designed for educators and are ministry mandated so that every student has access to reliable and research-based information about mental health that is relevant for the adolescent years. By embedding opportunities to learn about mental health in the classroom, both through explicit teaching and through the inclusion of everyday practices, Thames Valley educators can contribute to the development of positive mental health for all students. 

I recently visited East Oxford Central Public School where positive behaviour is celebrated.



The focus of the month was “kindness” and how it can bring the school community together. Positive actions and kindness were evident in the school culture and in every classroom. 

Relating the Essential Conditions for Learning to Mental Health and Well-Being

Thames Valley staff and students use the Essential Conditions for Learning framework to support mental health and well-being. The Safe Schools and Well-Being team has been working in collaboration with educators and their classes to help teach things like calming techniques, breathing strategies, and even learning more about how our brain responds to stress. Learn more about the Essential Conditions for Learning in this short video.  

Montcalm Students De-Stress at

Mental Health Club

Student leaders at Montcalm Secondary School are supporting the mental health and well-being of their school community through their Mental Health Club. Students have been creating connections and building relationships, while holding space to discuss the challenges and stressors of being a teenager. The club also organizes group activities which help students learn how to cope and manage this stress. The team recognizes that not everyone has access to external resources and that the school community can be an integral part of their overall well-being.    

Engagement Workers Build Connections

with Secondary Students

This fall, four high schools within the TVDSB participated in the introduction of a new project which focuses on providing schools with a school support counsellor in the role of an Engagement Worker. Engagement Workers in these four high schools (Ingersoll District Collegiate Institute, Strathroy District Collegiate Institute, H. B. Beal Secondary School and Saunders Secondary School) provide support to all students within the school by building relationships with students, supporting with emotional regulation, supporting students in attending classes and supporting students in feeling connected to their school community.

Engagement Workers can be found in the halls of the school and around the school building engaging with students both during and between class times with the goal of building student engagement in their school experience. Engagement Workers can be found providing classroom presentations on mental health literacy topics to support students’ knowledge and capacity in responding to their mental health needs.

Engagement Workers work closely with staff in schools to ensure students in need of support are identified and provided with the engagement that is needed for them to feel connected at school. We have received positive feedback from school staff about the role of the Engagement Worker and will continue to provide this support for the remainder of the school year. 

Supporting Student Mental Health in Rural Schools

This Fall, TVDSB has a new project focused on providing Tier 1 (universal) support to a selection of rural elementary schools within the TVDSB. The School Support Counsellor assigned to this role provides classroom presentations for students related to mental health and well-being, as well as provides small group counselling to students who are needing that support. The School Support Counsellor rotates between four different rural elementary schools throughout their week for a period of time, and then moves to a separate set of four schools. The School Support Counsellor works closely with the staff team at the school to identify what the needs of the students and staff are and then builds material for students that meet these specific needs. Feedback from schools who have received this support has indicated that the role has been beneficial to the school and student well-being. By the end of the 2023/2024 school year the School Support Counsellor will have supported 12 different rural elementary schools.