#HearNowON: Equity and Identity X mental health at school
How do things like race, gender, sexuality, ability, class, or other parts of people’s identity impact their mental health? What can Ontario schools do to better support equity in mental health?
Join School Mental Health Ontario (SMH-ON) and Wisdom2Action (W2A) for a three-hour virtual forum on ways to enhance student mental health awareness, learning, and leadership. We want to hear from secondary school students about ideas and recommendations for improving student engagement and promoting mental health at school.
#HearNowON for 2021 is focused on student knowledge needs, learning preferences, and needs in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and other 2021 realities related to student engagement and equity in mental health awareness and wellness at their school and boards. We want to expand our resources and tools to help students care for their own mental health and offer support to their peers and friends when needed. The information gathered during these forums will be used to inform the SMH-ON's provincial student mental health leadership strategy.
Your voice will help us to make sure that we put our focus in the right areas and create resources that are meaningful and relevant for students across the province.
What to expect:
- A fun opportunity to learn about school mental health and to share ideas about building knowledge and reducing the stigma of mental health with other students from across the province
- A place to offer your perspectives on how to help your peers be engaged as leaders in school mental health initiatives and offer ideas for adults to better support students in mental health leadership opportunities
- A discussion-based, open and inclusive space centred on your voice and viewpoints
- The chance to make an impact—a real difference!
Parent/Guardian Consent:
- Participation in the virtual forum requires that your parent/guardian consent to your participation. Please ensure that your parent/guardian completes the following online form prior to completing your registration for the forum. Consent form found here.
Important notes:
- The virtual forums will take place over Zoom. You can choose whether or not to turn your camera on.
- There will be auto-generated closed captions.
- This is not a forum designed for sharing personal details or experiences with mental illness. The focus is on ways to enhance mental health for all. However, mental health professionals will be in attendance should this come up.
- For questions, please contact Alice Gauntley (Wisdom2Action) at [email protected] or Elo Igor (School Mental Health Ontario) at [email protected].
Check in on yourself:
If you are experiencing distress, or just need to talk, we have included some useful phone lines below:
- Kids Help Phone is a 24/7 phone line where you can speak with a trained counselor at 1-800-668-6868. You can also text CONNECT to 686868.
- First Nations and Inuit Hope for Wellness Help Line 1-855-242-3310.
- Black Youth Helpline 416-285-9944 or toll-free 1-833-294-8650.