What the research tells us

• Effective communication and coordination between healthcare providers, schools, and other services supports continuity of care and improves outcomes for students during their bridge back to school.  
• Assisting students in returning to school is a collaborative effort involving families, educators, peers, and mental health professionals. 

Why this important 

When a school staff member or school mental health professional who knows the student supports a referral to a community mental health or hospital setting, they are well-positioned to help the student and their family begin this journey in an informed and supported manner.  

Successful bridging to treatment involves: 

• knowing the local mental health service organizations and the services that they offer 
• helping to find the right fit for the student and their family 
• educating the student and family about what to expect during the intake, assessment and treatment process 
• supporting a ‘warm hand-off’ so that connections are made in a relational manner 

Identity-affirming and equitable pathways 

We know that access to mental health treatment is not equal for all students. There are differences in service availability across regions, language, student age and presenting problems. In addition, there are unique barriers for students and families who face challenges related to financial strain, transportation, work schedules, child care issues, etc., as well as for those who may be hesitant to reach out for support due to experiences of racism, marginalization, stigma or other factors they may be concerned about within the health care system.  

Recognizing this, school staff can help with bridging to, from and through community mental health services by also: 

• helping families address barriers to service access 
• recognizing the impact of racism, marginalization and systemic barriers 
• understanding the mental health and wellness services provided through community, cultural, faith and Indigenous organizations, and making connections to these services as appropriate 
• honouring student voice, family strengths and lived experience 

Identity-affirming approaches to service navigation help ensure that every student can access care that feels respectful, relevant and supportive. 

Community mental health services 

There are over 4,000 community mental health service providers working in almost 100 accredited, publicly funded, children’s mental health centres across Ontario. These centres support young people and their families through a wide array of services across a broad spectrum of needs, including anxiety and mood disorders, addictions, trauma, eating disorders, etc.  

See the Our Members page of the Children’s Mental Health Ontario (CMHO) website for more information.  

Hospital and health care supports 

At times, students may require emergency care or hospitalization for a significant mental health problem. There are five pediatric hospitals in Ontario: 

• Children’s Hospital, London Health Sciences Centre  
• McMaster Children’s Hospital, Hamilton Health Sciences Centre  
• The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto 
• Kingston Health Sciences Centre 
• Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario, Ottawa 

Many other hospitals across Ontario also have inpatient and outpatient services for child and adolescent mental health.  

Addiction services 

Most children’s mental health centres provide services for young people struggling with substance use health disorder or behavioural addiction. There are also many agencies that provide addictions services exclusively. These services are located in community organizations, hospitals or residential treatment facilities.  

Learn more about addictions services at Connex Ontario. 

Cultural/identity-specific mental health services 

For some students, the best interventions are rooted in culture, faith or identity. Many organizations that serve specific communities provide identity-responsive mental health and wellness programming. 

Learn more at 211

Support for parents/caregivers 

When young people are struggling with their mental health, this can be emotionally challenging for their parents and caregivers. Families can find information about mental health in the By Your Side Learning Hub and can access additional information and support through Parents and Caregivers for Mental Health (PCMH).  

Helplines 

At times, it can be helpful to reach out to talk with a trained counselor using a phone line or live chat. Here are some ways to connect with professional support:  

• Black Youth Helpline – access to professional, culturally appropriate support for Black youth, families and schools. 1-833-294-8650 
• Hope for Wellness Helpline – available 24/7 to all Indigenous people across Canada. 1-855-242-3310  
• Kids Help Phone provides 24/7 e-mental health service offering free, multilingual and confidential support to help all young people across Canada. 
• 1-800-668-6868, or text CONNECT to 686868 
• One Stop Talk is a free, confidential service that lets kids and youth get immediate mental health support with a registered therapist. 
• Suicide Crisis Helpline – provides a safe space to talk anytime, 24/7. Call or text support. 9-8-8 
• More community help supports