The Pandemic has Created a Student Mental Health Crisis that Urgently Needs Your Support

There is a significant lack of resources needed to improve this worsening and widespread issue that will have a long-term negative impact on young people, and our society as a whole. 

The increase in mental health challenges experienced by students has created tremendous pressure on the school system – schools desperately need professional, tailored support for the unique needs of each student and their school community.

The Solution- Common Compass:

Now more than ever young people need  proactive, preventative resources that empower them and their communities to take charge of their social-emotional wellbeing and mental health. It is crucial students have access to programming at their schools, eliminating the need to navigate complex systems to find their way to support. 

It's exactly these programs that Common Compass provides and that  schools   and students desperately need! We are a non-profit organization that works with schools to develop and facilitate customized, evidence-informed mental health programs that are interactive and focused on empathy-driven skill development for students in grades 7-12, as well as parents and educators.

Our programming has proven successful and our approach fosters systemic change; however, we need your support to help us meet the growing demand of students struggling!

Nolan's Story

After facilitating one of our Common Compass Student Mental Health training sessions, a grade 11 student participant named Nolan*, wanted to talk. He shared with me that he had felt anxious for as long as he could remember and that since the pandemic began, he was feeling even worse. Virtual learning was beyond challenging for a social learner like him. It left him feeling extremely isolated. Not being able to participate in basketball, the constant questions about what all of this would mean for university, and the workload was overwhelming. The constant feeling of dread just felt like too much for him.

Nolan shared that his mom was also very stressed- constantly working and stretched thin. She wanted him to help with household chores and taking care of his younger siblings, but he wasn’t able to pull his weight like he used to and that led to arguments. Teachers noticed Nolan was coming to virtual classes late and not handing assignments in on time, but they didn’t know how to help. His friends didn’t notice these changes, but it wasn't hard to disguise them from behind a screen. He didn’t feel like himself, but he didn’t know who to turn to or where to get help. 

After participating in our Student Mental Health Training, Nolan said he realized he had a lot in common with his peers and he felt less isolated. The program felt like a safe space where he felt supported by his peers, something he had been missing for a long time. He learned how to access the support he needed, both in school and in the community, and he gained practical coping skills that he felt good about continuing to practice when he felt the stress bubbling up.

In one activity where each student had to pick a trait that best described them, Nolan shared with me that he chose “brave”. He told me that when he looked back on his life, he now saw himself as brave. He had never seen himself that way before. He knew he was no longer alone and had the strength and support to overcome the challenges ahead of him.
 *Name changed to maintain privacy.

-As shared by Leisha Zamecnik, MSW, RSW
Executive Director & Lead Facilitator the day of Nolan's program

Your generous gift will increase access to life-changing mental health programs for youth when it really matters.

How You Can Make a Difference: 

Our goal is to raise $5,000 to increase access to mental health programming for students in schools across Ontario. 

 You can support by:

1. Donating to our campaign. Every dollar will make an impact!
2. Sharing our campaign with your friends, family, and online network. We encourage you to share in a short video clip, or a few sentences what mental health support would have meant to you as a young student.

Your support will:

• Allow us to provide strategies and skills to a greater number of young people
• Expand our reach to schools outside of the GTA that have access to fewer resources
• Grow our services around education and support for parents, caregivers, and educators
• Help create a future where every young person reaches their own potential to transform their schools and communities into places that promote belonging, inclusion, and positive mental health for all.