#HearNowON 2024
#HearNowON 2024: Student Voices on Mental Health – Final Report
School Mental Health Ontario partnered with the Centre for School Mental Health at Western University on #HearNowON 2024 to gather input from middle and secondary school students across Ontario on their learning needs and priorities related to mental health and well-being.
Through an online survey and focus groups, we gathered input from students in grades 7-12 across the province.
This information has been gathered to inform provincial school mental health planning, emphasizing the value of centring student voices and perspectives. The findings are presented in a full report and executive summary, highlighting five key insights from Ontario students and illustrated with supporting visuals.
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Key finding – Students want meant health to be meaningfully incorporated into their educations.
Key finding - Students want their parents/caregivers to be equipped to support their mental health.
Key finding – Most students expressed at least some interest in participating in mental health leadership initiatives at school, and just over half are aware of opportunities to get involved.
Key finding – Students recognize the connection between identity and mental health and value opportunities to celebrate their own identities and learn about others as a way to bolster connectedness at school.
Key finding – Many students know where to find mental health support at school and have at least one trusted adult they can turn to.
“I think identity is a big factor in mental health. So, when someone attacks your identity or makes fun of your identity, it can have a negative impact on your mental health. Just as if someone compliments you on who you are or says something nice about who you are, it can have a positive impact on your mental health.”
“At my school, we have a lot of different clubs for certain groups of people that can be really affirming since people can build their communities there.”
“…our different culture activities and our ceremonies bring people together. And I feel like a lot of people from our youth groups, they become friends after the first few meetings…So, I think that that adds to really the mental health aspect of social being in schools.”
“The most engaging way for me would be on social media where I can easily find and look at and understand information”
Do you know where/who to contact if you have a mental health concern?
No: 10.4%
Unsure: 12%
One or more than one: 77.6%
Is there a caring adult at school that you could turn to if you had a question about mental health?
No: 14%
Not sure: 18%
One or more than one: 69%
Ontario student perspectives on school mental health 2024