Galt Collegiate Institute in Cambridge, Ontario, is promoting a series of four free online sessions to help parents and caregivers support student mental health. Starting March 5, 2026, the program offers practical advice on topics ranging from anxiety to substance use to help families manage student stress.
The series is hosted by School Mental Health Ontario and will be available in both English and French. Each session focuses on a different topic, including balanced screen time on March 5, vaping on April 10, body image on May 7, and anxiety on June 5.
These sessions are part of a new resource hub called By Your Side that launched in January 2026 to provide families with proven ways to support their children at home. The program aims to give caregivers direct advice and expert contacts before busy times like spring exams.
Engagement in similar wellness programs has been high in the area, with 731 caregivers across the Waterloo Region District School Board participating in online mental health sessions during the 2023-2024 school year.
For those needing more specific help, local resources are available through Porchlight Counselling and Addiction Services and Ray of Hope. These groups offer support for concerns involving youth substance use and screen time.
