Looking through the Teacher's Lens: Ontario Secondary Teachers' Experiences of Addressing the Needs of Students with a Mental Health Problem

This qualitative study examined how secondary school teachers view their role in addressing the mental health needs of their students. Interviews were conducted with three secondary school teachers in the Ontario publically funded system to understand their experiences in a classroom supporting students with mental health problems. The findings revealed that participants relied on a school-based team to support any student with a mental health problem. Classroom teachers felt that they were responsible for constant observation and could best support their students by building genuine and authentic relationships. Difficulties and challenges to addressing students were noted such as policy limitations and lack of training. All participants were optimistic about the future of addressing mental health in Ontario secondary schools as they have noticed a change in the way schools and school boards are providing opportunity for teacher education and professional development to be better support students with a mental health problem