Mental Illness Awareness Week and World Mental Health Day
Mental Health Awareness Week (October 5-11) and World Mental Health Day (October 10) offer a meaningful opportunity to reflect on how we foster mental health in our schools, workplaces, and communities.
This year’s World Mental Health Day theme — “Access to Services: Mental Health in Catastrophes and Emergencies”— emphasizes the importance of accessible mental health supports during times of crisis and uncertainty.
We invite all education sector staff to explore the updated erase (Expect Respect and a Safe Education) Mental Health and Substance Use website, which provides accessible information and resources for students, adults, and school staff. The site includes practical strategies for integrating mental health into everyday learning environments.
To strengthen mental health literacy and build capacity across the school system, the following resources are available:
Supporting Students in Times of Change is a practical guide to help educators support students’ mental health and well-being during periods of transition, uncertainty, or crisis.
Mental Health in Schools Strategy provides a vision and pathway for promoting mental health and well-being across all aspects of the K-12 education system.
Decision-Making Tool is an optional toolkit designed to help educators identify appropriate and effective resources tailored to the unique needs of learners.
Language Matters! An Introductory Guide for Understanding Mental Health and Substance Use for Educators and School Communities, along with its companion resource for families, supports mental health literacy in the K-12 system. These resources help educators, families, and school communities engage in meaningful conversations, build shared understanding, and apply key concepts and terminology related to mental health and substance use.