Dear Toronto Catholic District School Board Community,
We are pleased to share our Mental Health Action Plan (MHAP) for 2023-2026, which is designed to raise awareness, build capacity and provide a coordinated and evidence-informed approach to student mental health throughout the Toronto Catholic District School Board (TCDSB). Over the past few years, our students have faced even greater challenges due to the pandemic, resulting in a greater need to create emotionally and mentally healthy spaces to support students and their families.
We recognize that mental health is a key determinant of student well-being and achievement. As such, we prioritize the professional development of our staff to ensure they are well-prepared to support with evidence-informed strategies, focused on empathy and understanding.
We firmly believe that every student should have access to the necessary supports and services they need to succeed, and we are fully dedicated to making this a reality. Our commitment to this principle is rooted in our Multi-Year Strategic Plan (MYSP), shared Catholic Values and the teachings of the Gospel, which steer us toward championing equity, accessibility, and justice in every facet of our work. At Toronto Catholic, we are fortunate to have a talented team of educators, support staff and mental health professionals who ardently embrace the role of compassionate mentors for our students, tirelessly combatting the negative beliefs and stigmas that surround mental health while respecting and loving every student.
We strongly believe that every student has the potential to flourish, and our goal is to create a safe and inclusive learning environment that encourages and fosters students’ strengths in all areas of growth including academic, cognitive, emotional, physical, social and spiritual development. Together, we can positively impact the well-being of all students. By working in harmony with TCDSB families and our community members, we endeavour to foster a welcoming and supportive learning environment that accommodates and empowers all students, not just for today, but also for the future.
Thank you,
Dr. Brendan Browne - Director of Education
Nancy Crawford - Chair of the Board