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Mental Health, Well-being and Engagement

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WRDSB wants to ensure that all students and staff are able to learn and work in environments that engage them and support their mental health and well-being.

 

We know that students’ academic achievement is directly impacted by their mental health and well-being. The WRDSB engages in multiple strategies in support of students’ mental health and well-being. This includes increasing the capacity of administrators, educators and staff in topic areas such as:

  • Mental health literacy

  • Mentally healthy classrooms

 

We also work together with community organizations to provide wraparound support for students, families and caregivers within and outside the classroom. One of the ways we continue to improve student achievement and well-being is through meaningful engagement that is open, accessible, inclusive and responsive. In 2023 we published the WRDSB Engagement Charter which outlines our commitment to transparency, accountability and keeping families informed, as directed by the Education Act. We also launched EngageWRDSB, a hub to support families and caregivers with quick and easy access to resources and information to support community engagement. 

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To help us better understand students’ thoughts, feelings and experiences in school and in the community, the WRDSB uses the Middle Years Development Instrument (MDI) as our Safe, Caring and Inclusive School (SCIS) Survey. In April 2024, WRDSB invited students in Grades 4-12 to voluntarily complete the Safe, Caring and Inclusive School Survey. It consists of measures relating to children’s physical health and social and emotional development that are of critical importance during the middle years:

  • Optimism

  • Happiness

  • Self-Esteem

  • Absence of Sadness

  • General Health

 

We also shared the summary report of the 2022-23 Safe, Caring and Inclusive School Survey (individual school results are posted on each school website).

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We are committed to centring students’ voices in order to transform the education system to better serve all students. We want all WRDSB students to feel a sense of belonging and inclusion at school, particularly those who are historically marginalized, as we know this will support their overall academic success and well-being. These supports include:

  • System Navigators

  • Black graduation coach

  • Social workers with an Indigenous focus

  • Community engagement tables

  • Community partnerships to support student mental health and well-being

  • School mental health clinicians led learning opportunities for staff to develop mental health literacy

  • Professional learning sessions related to resources from School Mental Health Ontario

  • School-based groups (e.g. Affinity Groups, GSAs, Student well-being teams)

  • Free period products in all schools

  • Partnerships in support of student nutrition
     

On September 13, 2023, as part of Welcoming Week, WRDSB hosted a student orientation night for international students, families and caregivers.

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Throughout the 2023-24 school year, WRDSB supported Student Roundtable discussions to engage students on issues important to transforming education to better serve all students. It is an opportunity to centre student agency and voice, as well as bridge connections between staff and students, and foster student leadership.

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On April 16, 2024, approximately 150 WRDSB students from secondary schools across WRDSB gathered at The Family Centre to participate in the 2nd annual Student Wellness Conference. The event brought together students, staff, and community partners for a day focused on mental health and well-being. The intention behind this conference is to equip students with the knowledge and tools to not only support their own mental health, but also to share this information with other students at their schools.

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Taking a trauma-informed approach, we engage in meaningful conversations with students, especially those from marginalized communities. We provide messaging and resources to students, families and caregivers to promote their mental health and well-being throughout the school year, such as Lunch and Learn sessions. While we continue to address issues as they arise, we want to continue to be more proactive and solutions-focused.

Professional development supported by the Indigenous, Equity, and Human Rights Department, Human Resources and Employee Wellness; network learning opportunities for educators and administrators; and Staff Affinity groups foster safe, inclusive and caring work environments for all staff. WRDSB also promotes equity, human rights, inclusion education and understanding through recognition of Dates of Importance and Creed Accommodation Days.

 

Communication was shared with families and caregivers in September 2023 regarding the Disconnecting from Work Protocol, which sets parameters for employees’ availability (e.g., responding to emails) and supports a positive shift in our organizational culture.

 

The WRDSB conducted a Workforce Census in Spring 2024 to gain detailed insight into the cultural, social and demographic makeup of our workforce. The Census helps WRDSB to better support staff through training, resources and the creation of staff affinity groups. The WRDSB plans to publicly release Workforce Census results later in the 2024/25 school year.

 

The Guarding Minds at Work survey was paused during the 2023/24 school year to allow for the completion of the WRDSB Workforce Census. Mental Health and Well-Being supports are available to staff through the Employee and Family Assistance Program.

 

Read more about how we’re supporting Mental Health, Well-being and Engagement:

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