New student website provides easy access to mental health tools and supports
To kick off the 2022-23 school year, School Mental Health Ontario has launched a new student-facing website to ensure that mental health supports and information are easily available to students as Ontario school boards prepare for the return to school. The new student site centres student perspectives and provides easy access to mental health learning, tools and supports with a look and feel unique to the student audience.
Through the #HearNowON for 2021 survey and forums, we heard that students want to be involved in creating a positive change in their communities and want to share their feedback and perspective on student mental health. Joyce Erogun, student and parent/caregiver engagement and literacy team lead says, “Students told us they want stronger equity-based and culturally responsive mental health resources, accessible leadership opportunities and easy access to tools and education on ways to cope with stress and navigate peer support safely. This new site will be a hub for students to connect with those supports.”
By youth and for youth
The resources on the student website were co-developed with secondary school students, including members of ThriveSMH, School Mental Health Ontario’s student reference group, along with student trustees from OSTA-AECO. Their insights on the needs and preferences of their peers when it comes to mental health resources, appropriate language, best formats, and appealing design have been invaluable to this work.
Find more youth-friendly resources and supports
The student site will provide more student mental health leadership opportunities – leveraging student voice to share ideas, collaborate, and have a say in mental health learning and supports. Check out the new student website for the latest SMH-ON resources and supports for students.
Stay tuned for more!
