The Sudbury Catholic District School Board has appointed Sabrina Grossi as its new Mental Health Lead, a role that will steer student mental health initiatives across the board’s schools with an emphasis on early intervention and accessible supports.
The appointment, announced by the board, places Grossi at the centre of implementing the board’s Mental Health and Addictions Strategy and Action Plan. She will work closely with the board’s executive leadership team and with School Mental Health Ontario to align local services and programming with provincial best practices.
Mandate and immediate priorities
According to the school board release, Grossi’s responsibilities include directing the rollout of the strategy and strengthening supports aimed at helping students earlier. The board says the position prioritizes making mental health help more accessible for all students, signalling continued attention to supports inside schools as part of the district’s broader education mandate.
- Oversee implementation of the Mental Health and Addictions Strategy and Action Plan.
- Focus on early intervention and accessible supports for students.
- Collaborate with School Mental Health Ontario and the board’s executive leadership.
The board’s chief executive officer and chief education officer, Morris Hucal, welcomed Grossi and said her professional commitment to student well-being fits with the board’s vision. The release emphasised Grossi’s expertise in student mental health and a focus on early supports to enrich school communities.
“Every person who walks through our doors has a story worth listening to. My work has always been rooted in one belief; that hope is not something we wait for, but something we help build, one person, one conversation, one small act of support at a time. I am excited and honoured to step into this new role and I am ready to bring this belief into this next chapter.”
— Sabrina Grossi, Mental Health Lead
Local context and what it means for families
Sudbury families already navigating the post-pandemic education landscape will likely see Grossi’s appointment as a signal that the board intends to sustain and possibly expand mental health supports within schools. The stated emphasis on early intervention aims to identify and respond to student needs sooner, potentially reducing the need for more intensive services later.
School Mental Health Ontario, the provincial partner named in the announcement, provides resources and frameworks used by school boards across the province. By aligning with that provincial program, the Sudbury Catholic District School Board aims to standardise approaches and adopt evidence-informed tools for staff and students.
How the role will interact with existing services
Grossi’s role will involve coordination among several groups within the school district — school-based staff, guidance and mental health professionals, administrators and external partners. The collaborative model described in the announcement suggests the board intends to use centralized leadership to improve consistency across schools, while respecting the unique needs of individual school communities.
| Area | Role under Mental Health Lead |
|---|---|
| Strategy implementation | Direct rollout of the Mental Health and Addictions Strategy and Action Plan |
| Partnerships | Collaborate with School Mental Health Ontario and executive leadership |
| Student support | Prioritise early intervention and accessible services |
The announcement did not provide details on staffing changes or new funding tied to the appointment. Parents and staff seeking specifics on program changes, resource allocation or timelines for new initiatives will be looking to the board for follow-up communications and implementation plans.
For now, the appointment underscores an ongoing effort among Sudbury’s education leaders to prioritise student well-being. The extent to which Grossi and the board can expand early supports, reduce barriers to care and measure outcomes will determine how quickly families notice changes in daily school life.
