RESOURCES

 

Looking for support in building and maintaining healthy school communities at the district, school or classroom level?

 
 

You’ve come to the right place. Browse our collection of tools, learning opportunities and best practices from our partners and school communities across Canada. You can filter these by:

  • Advocacy Tools: Access tools that can be used to gain support for or recommend systemic approaches to school well-being.

  • Best Practices and Stories from the Field: Read stories and lessons from others working toward similar goals, and review research highlighting best practice. Have a story? Share it with us!

  • Learning Opportunities and Events: Access online learning opportunities, and platforms to support advancing school well-being, and learn about upcoming events.

  • Other Resources: Infographics, research, policy templates, and other supports for building and maintaining healthy school communities.

 
Student wearing backpack at home puts on red non-medical face mask.
Other Resources World Health Organization Other Resources World Health Organization

What is the evidence on school health promotion in improving health or preventing disease and, specifically, what is the effectiveness of the health promoting schools approach? (2006)

The review of evidence covers mental health, aggressive behaviour, healthy eating, physical activity, substance use and misuse, driver education, and peer approaches. The report shows that effectiveness of different types of programmes varies. School-based programmes that promote mental health, healthy eating and physical activity are amongst the most effective, while programmes on preventing substance use, and suicide are among the least effective of school health promotion programmes.

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Other Resources C. McHugh, A. Hurst, A. Bethel, J. Lloyd, S. Logan, K. Wyatt Other Resources C. McHugh, A. Hurst, A. Bethel, J. Lloyd, S. Logan, K. Wyatt

The Impact of the World Health Organization Health Promoting Schools Framework Approach on Diet and Physical Activity Behaviours of Adolescents in Secondary Schools: a Systematic Review (2020)

This paper reviewed 12 studies to find effective interventions of the WHO Health Promoting Schools Framework for students aged 11-18 years. Additional research is required to determine best practices for partnerships within the framework.

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Other Resources Dr. Kate Storey and SIRCLE Lab Other Resources Dr. Kate Storey and SIRCLE Lab

Essential conditions for the implementation of comprehensive school health to achieve changes in school culture and improvements in health behaviours of Students (2016)

This paper outlines the Core and Essential Conditions required to successfully implement CSH. The purpose of this research was to identify the essential conditions of CSH implementation utilizing secondary analysis of qualitative interview data, incorporating a multitude of stakeholder perspectives.

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Other Resources Paul J. Veugelers, PhD, Margaret E. Schwartz, MEd Other Resources Paul J. Veugelers, PhD, Margaret E. Schwartz, MEd

Comprehensive School Health in Canada (2010)

This article provides a review of CSH and discusses its four essential elements:

  1. Teaching and learning

  2. Social and physical environments

  3. Healthy school policy

  4. Partnerships and services

It also provides a common understanding of the implementation and broader benefits of CSH, which, in addition to health, include student learning and self-esteem. The article further discusses some complexities of a rigorous evaluation of CSH, which comprises proof of implementation, impact and positive outcome. Rigorous evaluation is urgently needed to provide a stronger evidence base of the benefits of CSH for learning, self-esteem and disease prevention.

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Other Resources Dr. Kate Storey and SIRCLE Lab Other Resources Dr. Kate Storey and SIRCLE Lab

Implementing Comprehensive School Health in Alberta, Canada: the principal’s role (2016)

The purpose of this research was to examine the role of the principal in the implementation of a CSH project aimed at creating a healthy school culture. This research provides recommendations to help establish effective leadership practices in schools, conducive to creating a healthy school culture.

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Best Practices & Stories from the Field Canadian Healthy Schools Alliance Best Practices & Stories from the Field Canadian Healthy Schools Alliance

Healthy Schools Certification: A Journey Across Canada

OPHEA’s Healthy Schools Certification (HS Certification) is a 6-step program that guides and celebrates schools for taking a Comprehensive School Health Approach. After years of running solely in Ontario, Ever Active Schools, DASH, PHE Canada and OPHEA took this program on the road (albeit a bumpy road) to engage schools across other provinces. Find out more about our successes, challenges and key learnings (there were plenty!) of coordinating a cross-Canada pilot of HS Certification.

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Other Resources McConnell Foundation and many stakeholders Other Resources McConnell Foundation and many stakeholders

Beyond the Binder

Why and how K-12 system leaders must move beyond one-off interventions, programs, and professional development towards an approach where mental health and wellbeing is integrated in the core mandate of public education.

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