We are calling on the Government of Ontario and Ontario school boards to establish and pilot a Universal Student Wellbeing Check-In Program, providing every K–12 student with four individual check-ins each school year.

Why This Matters

Ontario’s publicly funded education system serves more than 2 million students. While schools already provide mental health promotion, prevention, intervention and referral services, access often depends on a student or adult recognizing a concern and initiating support.

The 2023 Ontario Student Drug Use and Health Survey, involving more than 10,000 students in Grades 7–12 across 46 school boards, found that:

• 38% rated their mental health as fair or poor.
• 51% reported moderate to serious psychological distress.
• 37% reported elevated stress or pressure.
• 15% often or always felt lonely.
• Approximately one third reported needing professional mental health support but not seeking it.

These findings point to significant levels of reported distress and unmet need.

The Proposal

Every student would receive four scheduled, individual opportunities each school year to speak with an appropriately qualified school-based professional.

Check-ins could address mental and emotional wellbeing, academic pressure, bullying, relationships, family circumstances, social isolation, financial or practical barriers, attendance, or other concerns affecting a student’s ability to learn and participate.

The purpose would be to listen, identify needs, provide information and connect students with appropriate supports and not to automatically diagnose or refer students.

School social workers would serve as a primary professional group responsible for delivering and coordinating the program, alongside other qualified school based professionals and existing multidisciplinary teams.

Why Universal Check-Ins?

Students do not always ask for help when they need it. Some may not know where to turn, may fear stigma, or may believe they should manage difficulties themselves.

A universal model creates a regular opportunity for every student to be heard without first having to identify themselves as needing help.

Four check-ins are proposed as a pilot model, not as a frequency already proven to be optimal. The pilot should determine whether the model is effective, feasible and sustainable.

Building on Ontario’s Existing System

Ontario already invests in school based mental health and student support services, including social workers, psychologists, child and youth workers and mental health leads. The province reported close to $118 million in mental health funding for 2024–25.

This proposal would complement, not replace existing services by adding a universal, proactive point of contact.

What We Are Asking Ontario To Do

We call on Ontario to:

• Pilot four individual wellbeing check-ins per year for every K–12 student.
• Fund qualified school-based professionals, with school social workers as a primary professional group.
• Establish clear standards for privacy, consent, referral and followup.
• Ensure check-ins are age appropriate, culturally responsive and accessible.
• Create clear pathways to school, community, health and social services.
• Independently evaluate the pilot before considering province wide implementation.
• The evaluation should examine student wellbeing, engagement, earlier identification, access to support, equity, student experiences, professional capacity and cost.

Students shouldn’t have to wait for a crisis to have an opportunity to be heard.

Four Check-Ins. Every Student. Every School Year.

Sign this petition to support a proactive approach to student wellbeing in Ontario’s K–12 education system.