1. School Health
  2. Human Development & Sexual Health
  3. Healthy Relationships

Healthy Relationships

Teaching youth the foundations of healthy relationships will help them build supportive connections with others based on respect, trust and compassion. Healthy relationships are important for youth to develop a positive sense of self and belonging for their mental and emotional well-being.

What are relationships?

Relationships are bonds or connections between people and are characterized by various forms of interactions, lived experiences, and emotional attachments.  Relationships take many forms, from friendships, dating partners, family connections, community or work relationships and more.  Relationships play an important role in shaping a youth’s psychological and emotional well-being. 

Why are healthy relationships important for youth to learn about?

Healthy relationships provide youth with a sense of security, basic needs, and a sense of well-being and belonging.  A healthy relationship involves mutual respect, trust, honesty, support, separate identities, equality and good communication.  Respect is at the foundation of every healthy relationship. The value of developing healthy relationship skills and how they tie into learning is expanded upon in the 2019 Ontario Health and Physical Education Curriculum.  

The Ontario Student Drug Use and Mental Health Survey (OSDUHS), 2023 found that almost half (46%) of students report that they rarely or never talk to their parents about their problems or feelings.  Over one-quarter (28%) of students report low subjective social status at school (feeling that other students exclude them and do not respect them). 

What can schools, parents and students do to promote healthy relationships?

Below you will find several informational and community resources for educators, parents/caregivers, and students. Educator resources are organized using the Ministry of Education’s Foundations for a Healthy School framework.  A healthy school is created when schools, parents and community partners work together to build school environments that promote and support student well-being. 

Resources & Information for:

Background Resources

Lessons and Activities

  • Healthy Relationship Skills– School Mental Health Ontario (SMHO)
    Grades K- 12 
    Easy to implement, evidence-based activities and lesson plans to support healthy relationships. Available inFrench.&
  • Healthy Relationships – Canadian Centre for Child Protection 
    Grades K-12 
    Activity booklets, lesson plans, comic books, internet safety sheets on healthy vs. unhealthy relationships. Please cross-reference your curriculum requirements by grade before utilizing lesson plans. Available in French.
  • Healthy Relationships – Ontario Physical and Health Education Association (OPHEA)
    Grades K-12 Activities, lesson plans and resources grouped by topic and grade per curriculum links. An account is required to access curriculum supports. There is no fee to set up an account. Available inFrench.
  • Teaching Sexual Health – Alberta Health Services
    Grade 4-12 Includes an educator portal providing evidence-based sexual decision making and relationship information, lesson plans, tools, videos and grade-specific resources. Resources are also available for special education programs. This is an Alberta hosted site and grade specific curriculum links may need to be verified. Available inFrench.
  • Healthy Schools Certification – OPHEA
    Tools to promote and enhance the health and well-being of students, school staff, and the broader school community.  Contact your school nurse, call the Healthy Schools Hotline at 519-258-2146, ext. 1555 or email csh@wechu.org to find out more about supporting your school in achieving a Healthy Schools Certification.  Available in French. 
  • Healthy Relationships Training Module - PREVNet 
    This training module is for adults who work with youth.  It emphasizes the importance of healthy relationships between adults, between adults and youth, and between youth.  It also focuses on how to prevent unhealthy relationships and violence among people of all ages.  Available in French. 
  • Ideas for Action- Growth and Development – OPHEA
    Can be used alone or with the OPHEA Healthy Schools Certification process for healthy growth and development education. This is a starting point to encourage students to start conversations about healthy relationship topics in your school and community.  This guide provides key information about existing programs and resources, tips for getting started, things to consider, sources of support in your community, in Ontario, and across Canada.  Available in French.
  • Jack Talks/ Jack Chapters – Jack.org 
    Supports youth and their school community to understand mental health and how to support others.  School communities can join this organization to encourage youth leadership, through talks, and participating in a chapter.  Students can earn a certificate after completing the Be There Course - a two hour training that includes the importance of setting boundaries.  The training is available in French and Spanish. 
  • Ontario’s Equity and Inclusive Education Strategy – Ministry of Education
    Information for schools on creating inclusive environments and removing barriers related to racism, sexism, homophobia, and other forms of discrimination through policy development. 
  • Windsor-Essex Youth Services Card
    Provides contact information related to services and referral support in Windsor-Essex County for a variety of youth services.
  • Youth Wellness Hub Windsor-Essex
    Offers services to youth aged 12 to 25 without a wait list or referral.  This one-stop-shop model of care provides a variety of walk-in services, access to a Nurse Practitioner for primary care, and community social services.  The Youth Wellness Hub also offers recreational activities and peer support. Services available in Windsor, Amherstburg and Leamington.  Virtual programs available. 
  • Youth Diversion Essex County Diversion Program 
    Serves Windsor and Essex with a series of eight youth programs that focus on building confidence, making healthy decisions, and improving communication among youth aged 6-18. 

Support in the Community

  • Windsor-Essex Youth Services Card - WECHU
    Provides contact information related to services and referral support in Windsor-Essex County for a variety of youth services.
  • Youth Wellness Hub Windsor-Essex
    Offers services to youth aged 12 to 25 without a wait list or referral. This one-stop-shop model of care provides a variety of walk-in services, access to a Nurse Practitioner for primary care, and community social services.  The Youth Wellness Hub also offers recreational activities and peer support. Services available in Windsor, Amherstburg and Leamington.  Virtual programs available.     
  • Youth Diversion Essex County Diversion Program 
    Serves Windsor and Essex with a series of eight youth programs that focus on building confidence, making healthy decisions, and improving communication among youth aged 6-18. 
  • Trans Wellness Ontario
    A Windsor-based community group that supports a mission ‘to enhance and sustain the health and wellness of Transgender, Genderqueer, Two-Spirit, Non-Binary, Queer and Questioning communities and their families.  Offer many community programs, resources, and individual and peer group support services (in-person or virtual).

Additional Resources and Support

  • Ideas for Action- Growth and Development – OPHEA
    This is a starting point to encourage students to start conversations about topics related to healthy relationships in your school and community. This guide provides key information about existing programs and resources, tips for getting started, things to consider, sources of support in your community, in Ontario, and across Canada. Available in French. 
  • Jack Talks/ Jack Chapters – Jack.org 
    Supports youth and their school community to understand mental health and how to support others.  School communities can join this organization to encourage youth leadership through talks and participation in Chapters.  Students can earn a certificate after completing the Be There Course - a two hour training that includes the importance of setting boundaries. The training is available in French and Spanish. 

Support in the Community

  • Windsor-Essex Youth Services Card
    Provides contact information related to services and referral support in Windsor-Essex County for a variety of youth services.
  • Youth Wellness Hub Windsor-Essex
    Offers services to youth aged 12 to 25 without a wait list or referral.  This one-stop-shop model of care provides a variety of walk-in services, access to a Nurse Practitioner for primary care, and community social services. The Youth Wellness Hub also offers recreational activities and peer support.  Services available in Windsor, Amherstburg and Leamington.  Virtual programs available. 
  • Trans Wellness Ontario
    A Windsor-based community group that supports a mission ‘to enhance and sustain the health and wellness of Transgender, Genderqueer, Two-Spirit, Non-Binary, Queer and Questioning communities and their families. Offer many community programs, resources, and individual services with peer group support (in-person or virtual).