Where to Get Help
If this is a mental health emergency and safety is the immediate concern and help is needed now – Call 911 or go to your hospital emergency department.
Lakehead Public Schools offers school social work services and mental health resources for students, families and staff to assist with challenges, transitions, and issues. Please visit the following links to learn more. If a student, family, or staff member needs help, please reach out – someone is here to help.
CMHA Crisis Response
If you need to talk to someone right away please call or text 807-346-8282
or
Kids Help Phone
Kids Help Phone is Canada’s only 24/7, national support service. They offer professional counselling, information and referrals and volunteer-led, text-based support to young people in both English and French.
By Phone – You can reach a Kids Help Phone counsellor 24/7 at 1-800-668-6868.
By Text – Need help now? Text CONNECT to 686868
Live Chat – Kids Help Phone’s Live Chat hours are temporarily reduced so we can provide more timely access to support through our other services. Live Chat is currently open daily from midnight to 7:00 am.
https://kidshelpphone.ca/live-chat
Thunder Bay District Walk in/Talk in Counselling Walk-in Talk-in Services
Mental Health Resources for Parents/Caregivers
School Mental Health Ontario – By Your Side
It can be hard to know how you can best support your child’s mental health, and just as challenging to know how to help when you notice concerns. The By Your Side parent/caregiver hub was developed by Ontario mental health professionals, school staff, and parents/caregivers to support you in this. To provide a trusted space for you to find identity-affirming, culturally responsive, evidence-informed resources about child and youth mental health and addictions.

Children’s Mental Health Ontario
Children’s Mental Health Ontario (CMHO) represents Ontario’s publicly funded Child and Youth Mental Health Centres. We advocate for investments, policies, and programs for children, youth, and families seeking mental health services in Ontario. Our goal is to promote a coordinated and high-quality system of care that puts children, youth and families first.
Kids Grief.ca
Kids Grief is a free online resource that helps parents support their children when someone in their life is dying or has died. It equips parents with the words and confidence to help children grieve life’s losses in healthy ways.
Mental Health Presentations for Parents and Caregivers
Need Help Now.ca
If you (or a friend, peer or sibling) have been negatively impacted by a sexual picture/video being shared by peers, we are here to help. The NeedHelpNow website is designed to provide youth (13 to 17 years old) with practical steps to regain control over the situation. This includes information about contacting websites/online services to request a picture/video be removed, dealing with peers who may have seen or be sharing the content, the importance of emotional support and information on certain criminal offences. The site also provides resources for parents and safe adults who are assisting youth involved in these types of instances.
School Social Work Services
Elementary and Secondary School Services
Individual Clinical Services are provided for students throughout the school calendar year for elementary and high schools. Our model focuses on brief, solution focused problem-solving methods to help promote resilience and coping with the goal of enhancing social emotional learning skills and success in the classroom. Referred students are provided with approximately 5 sessions if individual counselling with a registered social worker at the school. If your elementary age child is interested in individual services, please contact your school principal. For high school students, visit your student success office.
Self-Referral Form
If you are a youth over 12 or are referring someone over 12:
If you are a staff, parent or agency referring a youth under 12:

Three Year Mental Health Strategy
Noticing Mental Health Concerns For Your Child
Supporting Mental Health and Wellness during the Return to School – Tip Sheet
Personal Resiliency Tips for Helpers Who Support Students
St. John Ambulance Therapy Dog Sharing His Love (YouTube Video)
Mental Health & Back To School Resources
Experiencing a tragic event recovery and coping strategies
The Importance of Self-Care in Helping Your Child or Youth Grieve