Dissemination guide: Newcomer student mental health resources
Ontario is home to many newcomer students and families. Moving to a new country can be difficult, and schools play a key role in supporting this transition. When students feel welcomed, included, and affirmed at school, they are more likely to experience good mental health and thrive in their new learning environments.
Resources
Benefits of the newcomer resources
- welcome cards & social media shareables now available in 16 languages
- created by newcomer students, for newcomer students
- help caring adults better understand newcomer experiences
- support newcomer students’ sense of connectedness and belonging
- help identify the challenges, needs and strengths of newcomer students
- affirm and celebrate newcomer students’ identities
Considerations for use
When integrating these newcomer student mental health resources, consider the unique needs of your school community and how they align with the priority areas in your Mental Health and Addictions Strategic Plan and Yearly Action Plan. Reflect on how you can foster and/or enhance the presence of a welcoming and inclusive school environment for every newcomer student.
- How can these resources complement your long-term strategy for supporting newcomer students?
- What successful strategies have you used when introducing similar resources? Could they be applied or adapted for these resources?
- What potential barriers could prevent the use of these resources, and how can they be addressed?
- How will you assess whether these resources are meeting your goals? Will you gather feedback from students and other key audiences?
How you can use and share the resources in schools
For schools
- Feature video blogs in virtual announcements or on school TVs.
- Create QR codes linking to the resources for easy access.
- Use these resources in your communication channels such as newsletters, emails, website pages and social media.
- Consider important moments in the year to introduce and share these resources with parents, caregivers and students (e.g., start-of-the-year barbecues, newcomer welcome events).
- Print and distribute welcome cards in welcome centres, multicultural or student “chill” spaces.
- Leverage your partnerships with community groups that are connected to newcomer students and families (e.g., assessment centres, welcome centres, multicultural community centres).
For staff
- Collaborate with students to determine how they would like to receive and share these resources. Consider connecting these resources to initiatives that students are already involved in.
- Share the resources in classes where newcomer students are present.
- Share the resources with students and parents/caregivers (e.g., family-teacher meetings).
- Incorporate these resources as part of new student orientation such as grade 9 transition days for newcomers or other transition points in a student’s journey.
For students
- Partner with student clubs in your schools (e.g., mental health groups, newcomer student groups) to ensure they are aware of the resources and can share with their peers.
- Include the welcome cards as part of student “swag” or gift packages.
- Share the resources in your network at school and in your community.
For parents/caregivers
- Share with newcomer students who may be under your care.
- Consider reposting the resources on your social media platforms.
- Pass the resources along to other newcomer parents/caregivers within your circle, groups or communities.
Additional resources
- Creating welcoming school environments for newcomer students
- Supporting the mental health of newcomer students at school
Thank you to the students who supported us in creating this guide:
- Cloris Liu
- Diya Elz Praveen
- Lily Mathews
- Mariana Medina
- Zahra Ahmadi