Fourth Edition, September 2011

Mental Health in the Classroom
You may notice that students in your classroom are struggling. They may be acting out, or they may be 
withdrawn and not communicating. Whatever the cause, these behaviours are interfering with students’ 
achievement at school, and preventing them from learning.
Sometimes, these issues are indicative of mental health problems. When mental health problems interfere 
with a students’ ability to learn and achieve, their success in school suff ers. Schools play an important role in 
identifying students who may be having mental health problems, and in connecting them with services that 
can help. In Ontario, schools’ part in this process is outlined in the Ministry of Education’s “Shared Solutions” 
document, available at: www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/general/elemsec/speced/shared.pdf.
Teachers have busy work lives, and many competing priorities. While teachers cannot be expected to be 
experts in child and youth mental health problems, they have an important role to play. Teachers can 
ensure that their classrooms are safe and healthy environments for all students, they can recognize the 
signs that a student is struggling with mental health problems, and they can feel confi dent that they 
understand the next steps to take in seeking help for that student.
This guide is designed to help teachers understand more about mental health problems in children and 
youth, to outline the steps they can and should take to help those students, and to give them some ideas 
on how they can talk about mental health problems in their classrooms.
What are child and youth mental health problems?
Children and youth can experience mental health problems that range 
from mild to serious. For instance, some students in your class may 
have a little anxiety when they are facing a test, while others may 
be very anxious about the same test. When a problem lasts for 
more than a few weeks, and interferes with the student’s daily 
life, then it becomes a concern that requires further help.