Apply to join ThriveSMH!
Apply to ThriveSMH, School Mental Health Ontario’s student reference group. Share your voice and help improve mental health supports in schools.
What is ThriveSMH?
ThriveSMH is a group of passionate students who work alongside School Mental Health Ontario (SMH-ON) to help with developing and sharing mental health promotion resources and supports that will resonate with young people.
ThriveSMH members are change-makers! They support the SMH-ON team on a variety of projects related to improving student mental health and reducing stigma. ThriveSMH is committed to supporting identity-affirming school mental health and culturally appropriate resources. For SMH-ON, it’s important to work with students because it makes the resources, they create more relatable and helpful for students.
Pros’pairs SMS is SMH-ON’s French-speaking student group. ThriveSMH and Pros’pairs SMS members work closely together and have similar roles. ThriveSMH is in English, and members are from English-language school boards. Pros’pairs SMS is in French, and members are from French-language school boards. Learn more and apply to join Pros’pairs SMS.
Diversity is a source of strength
We recognize diversity as a source of strength. We welcome and encourage students with identities that have been historically disadvantaged, oppressed, and marginalized, including those who self-identify as Black, Indigenous, racialized, a newcomer to Canada, a person with a disability, diverse bodied, and/or 2S/LGBTQIA+ to apply.
To support the mental health of every student in the province, ThriveSMH aims to reflect many diverse experiences and perspectives. Our identities shape our unique perspectives, and those ideas help SMH-ON create better resources for students across the province.
What you’ll need
Before completing the application, it’s important to keep in mind the requirements for the role.
You must be a student in grades 7 to 10 attending a public or Catholic school board or authority in Ontario.
At this time, we’re focusing on recruiting grades 7 to 10 to help balance the age range on the team.
An interest in mental health and well-being
- Interested in sharing ideas about how to best support student mental health
- Interested in creating mental health resources that bring awareness, knowledge and support, and help to reduce stigma around student mental health
Time commitment
- Attend monthly 2-hour full team meetings, taking place at the end of each month
- Additional time or meetings dedicated to projects that you sign up for (the time commitment for each project will vary and depends on the project—these might be between 1-5 hours a month)
- You’re expected to serve as a member for a minimum of one school year
Access to technology
- Access to internet and a computer, laptop, tablet or phone for ThriveSMH online meetings (online meetings are not recorded)
- An email address for communication
- Ability to download and use Discord for communication with fellow ThriveSMH team members and leads
Why join ThriveSMH?
- Make a difference: a provincial opportunity to work to reduce stigma of mental illness, promote good mental health and encourage students to seek help when they need it
- Connect with other passionate youth from across the province
- Enhance leadership and communication skills
- Gain advocacy and volunteer experience
- Earn volunteer hours and small honoraria as a thank you for your time
- Receive a reference letter from SMH-ON for future jobs or post-secondary education
- Have fun while making an impact
Want to learn more? Come to our Open House!
We will be hosting two open house events over Zoom on November 13 and 18 from 5–6 p.m. ET.
You do not have to come to both—the same information will be shared at each open house. These will give you a chance to meet some members of the team, ask questions and learn more about what we do.
November 13: Register
November 18: Register
Apply Now
Consent from a parent/caregiver is required to complete this application.
The application will be open from November 3–30, 2025.
Promotional materials
Frequently asked questions
What is a student reference group?
“Student reference group” typically refers to a group of students that provides feedback, input, or insights on various aspects of the student experience. In the case of ThriveSMH, this group of students provides feedback, input, or insights related to student mental health. Students share their perspectives to help inform SMH-ON’s work.
For example:
- Members of SMH-ON’s team come to a ThriveSMH meeting and ask questions they have about a particular project. Student’s responses will be used to shape the project.
- ThriveSMH members come up with a new project to help promote good mental health. SMH-ON staff help students carry out the project.
- ThriveSMH members join a working group to help inform and carry out a specific SMH-ON project.
What do ThriveSMH members do?
ThriveSMH members help to develop and review resources, share student perspectives, support or lead mental health promotion initiatives and more!
What if I don’t know a lot about mental health?
It’s helpful to have a bit of an understanding of mental health before you apply to make sure that you feel comfortable discussing it during the meetings. Our page on understanding mental health is a great place to start. You don’t need to be an expert! If you’re selected to join ThriveSMH, we will also have an orientation meeting where we dive deeper into what mental health is.
More questions?
Come to one of our open houses to ask us directly! Or you can email Julie at jmartin@smho-smso.ca.