Identity-Affirming School Mental Health Frame
The Identity-Affirming School Mental Health frame was developed to help guide school boards as they thoughtfully reflect on and plan resources and supports for their respective communities to meet the unique mental health needs of every student.
How might I use this Frame?
Moving from current practice to an embedded and integrated identity-affirming school mental health approach takes time, reflection, and planful action. The Identity-Affirming School Mental Health Frame offers four domains to frame the work as you thoughtfully reflect and plan approaches and supports to meet the unique needs of every student you serve.
As is also reflected in the School Mental Health Ontario Strategy for 2022-2025, all supports and services wrap around Every Student, depicted at the centre of the graphic. The domains aren’t linear- each can and should be addressed simultaneously.
References
- #HearNowON 2019: Student Voices on Mental Health – Final Report
- #HearNowON 2021: Student Voices on Mental Health – Final Report
- A Life Promotion Toolkit by Indigenous Youth
- Cultural Humility Self-Reflection Tool for School Mental Health Professionals
- Cultural Humility Self-Reflection Tool for School Staff
- How to Foster and Maintain Supportive Spaces for Black Youth
- Listen, Believe & Act: Support for students who have been disproportionately impacted in schools
- Supporting Mentally Healthy Conversations About Anti-Black Racism With Students
- Supportive Resources for Adult Allies
- Talking with Parents and Families about Mental Health
- Understanding Anti-Black Racism to Support Mental Health and Well-Being of Black and Racialized Students