Mental Health, Technology and Substance Use

Supports for Families

We want students to be physically and mentally healthy so they can grow, learn and be successful. This web page contains links to mental health supports for prevention and intervention, and specific resources related to mental health and addictive behaviours – like vaping/substance use and cell phone/technology use, to help families navigate challenges.

Prevention and Intervention Resources

By Your Side Hub

By Your Side Well-being Webinar Series

School Mental Health Ontario is offering a free webinar series designed to help parents and caregivers navigate important topics related to substance use and addictive behaviors. 

This expert-led series will provide insights and practical strategies on:

How to talk about substance use at home 
The intersection of addictions and mental health 
Recognizing signs of substance use and behavioural addictions 
Current trends in student substance use in Ontario – What parents/caregivers need to know 
Technology overuse and problematic gaming

The  By Your Side  resource hub is supported by Ministry of Education funding, to focus on increasing mental health awareness, promoting wellness, and reducing stigma related to mental health concerns for parents/caregivers of Ontario students.

Cellphones and Technology

Navigating Digital Technology

SMHO resource - Digital technology can support learning, skill development, connection with others and can provide access to help if/when needed. Today, technology readily connects children to experiences, information and other people. However, excessive screen use can impact mental health and well-being.

Balancing Technology Use

CAMH resource - Technology overuse occurs when technology controls the user, rather than the user controlling it. It might sound like a simple concept – and it is – but psychological factors come into play that encourage people to become addicted to their devices.

Digital Citizenship

KPR sourced resources - Technology and online engagement play an important role in student learning and we are committed to preparing our students to participate positively, responsibly, and safely in our digital communities that extend beyond the classroom.

Vaping and Smoking

Learn more about the consequences of vaping. Vaping is not allowed on school property. Vaping has serious health risks for teens, including nicotine addiction, lung damage and negative impacts on brain development.

Health Canada Vaping Resources

Awareness Resources

Youth and Vaping – Drug Free Kids Canada

A resource which provides information about vaping, nicotine, and cannabis, and practical tips on how to start an open and honest conversation about vaping with pre-teens and teens.

Not An Experiment

Public Health Smoking/Vaping Resources

Developed for grades 7-12, this is a digital toolkit to educate and build capacity among educators and youth champions about e-cigarettes and vaping, including an interactive, yet educational escape room-style activity.

English French

Durham Region Health

Smoking and Vaping Resources

Talking to your children about smoking and vaping can play a big part in helping them to be informed and make good choices.

Cessation Supports

Break It Off

Break It Off is a campaign developed by Health Canada and the Canadian Cancer Society that helps young adults quit smoking and stay smoke-free. The Break It Off website provides educational content about cigarettes and nicotine, and their health impacts, as well as tips and tools to use during the quitting process. These tips and tools include guidance for creating a quit plan, a cost calculator, etc.

Talk Tobacco

Talk Tobacco is a free confidential program offering culturally appropriate support and information about quitting smoking, vaping and commercial tobacco use to First Nations, Inuit, Métis and urban Indigenous communities.

Quash App

Quash App - A judgement-free program developed by the Lung Health Foundation that is specifically designed to help youth (14-19) quit smoking or vaping. There are two versions of the Quash program that can be used separately or together, depending on the needs of the young person trying to quit. One version is a self-directed program for youth through the app. The other version is an adult facilitation version of the program delivered to youth online or in-person over seven sessions.

Vaping: What You and Your Friends Need to Know

Centre for Addiction and Mental Health - A factsheet for youth that provides general information about vaping and outlines important facts, associated risks, and additional resources