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Student holding a sign that says One in five students experience a mental health illness or concern in any given year. Citation#3

Mental Health

At VHS, we recognize the significant impact that mental health issues can have on our students and their families. In collaboration with Kids Help Phone, we emphasize the importance of mental health so that students know they are not alone and need not suffer in silence.

Quick Facts:

  • One in five students experience a mental health illness or concern in any given year.1
  • In Canada, only 1 out of 5 children who need mental health services receive them.2
  • Only 32 percent of students with a serious mental illness continue on to post-secondary education.3

What Is Mental Health and Mental Illness?

Mental Health: The World Health Organization defines mental health as "a state of well-being in which every individual realizes his or her own potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to her or his community."4

Mental Illness: The Public Health Agency of Canada states that "mental illnesses are characterized by alterations in thinking; mood or behaviour associated with significant distress and impaired functioning."5

Help Is Available

No academic issue is insurmountable. VHS staff are always available to address any academic concerns you may have and discuss your options. Please reach out to our Vice Principal, Stacy Schulz, at 1-866-679-9377 ext. 314 for assistance.

Kids Help Phone

VHS is pleased to work with Kids Help Phone to offer their 24/7 national support service to our Canadian students.

Students can anonymously reach out to a professional counsellor by contacting Kids Help Phone any of the following ways:

Phone Service 1-800-668-6868
Free Texting Service Text CONNECT to 686868

More information can be found here
Live Chat www.kidshelpphone.ca

Select "Chat" at the bottom of the screen.
Always There App The Always There app can be downloaded to an iOS or Android device.
The app is available in both English and French.

For more information about the services offered by Kids Help Phone or for access to additional support documents, please visit www.kidshelpphone.ca

Are you an international student? Please visit Child Helpline International to learn about services near you.

Disclaimer: This page is intended for informational purposes only and should not be used to replace the advice of a mental health professional. The information provided on this page consists of external links to third party websites. Virtual High School is not the content provider of these website and gives no warranties that this information is correct, current, reliable, or suitable for any purpose. We disclaim all responsibility and liability for any direct or indirect damage, cost, loss, or expense in the use of or reliance upon this information. Please consult a qualified health care professional to get full medical advice.

Citations:

  1. Canadian Mental Health Association cmha.ca/about-cmha/fast-facts-about-mental-illness; Children's Mental Health Ontario cmho.org/education-resources/teacher-resources
  2. https://cmha.ca/about-cmha/fast-facts-about-mental-illness
  3. https://www.flgov.com/wp-content/uploads/childadvocacy/mental-health-and-academic-achievement-2-24-12.pdf
  4. http://www.who.int/features/factfiles/mental_health/en/
  5. http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/cd-mc/mi-mm/index-eng.php