Student engagement and leadership
Student leadership and agency are key components of mentally healthy schools. When students have opportunities to share their perspectives, influence decisions and take action, they build skills, confidence and a stronger sense of belonging. All of this supports positive mental health.
Why student leadership is important
Students bring insight that adults alone cannot. Through provincial initiatives like #HearNowON, students across Ontario have consistently shared that they want to be actively involved in shaping mental health learning and initiatives in their schools, not just as participants, but as partners.
Research and student feedback across Ontario shows that students:
- want mental health learning to be meaningful, ongoing and connected to real life
- value peer-led and co-created approaches to wellness and stigma reduction
- feel more connected and confident when their perspectives are heard and acted upon
Engaging students in mental health promotion supports:
- a stronger sense of belonging and mattering
- increased help-seeking and peer support
- stigma reduction
- appropriate peer-to-peer support
- mental health promotion initiatives that are more responsive, inclusive and identity-affirming
Supporting student engagement and leadership
Students are powerful change-makers. They want to lead efforts that make mental health conversations real, relatable and hopeful. Student engagement involves co-creating conditions and opportunities with students to meaningfully participate and influence outcomes that may affect them.
Supporting student engagement and leadership can include:
- creating supportive and affirming spaces for students to discuss mental health and share ideas
- providing training and mentorship for student mental health leaders
- partnering with youth-led organizations that offer programs that build awareness and reduce stigma through peer engagement
- encouraging student-led initiatives that promote kindness, inclusion and help-seeking
School staff should think beyond the typical or already-engaged students and develop strategies that seek to connect with students who may not be typically engaged in school initiatives. This may include students with disabilities or students accessing special education services and supports. Each student carries expertise and knowledge of their own lived experience. Connecting with a diverse group of students helps to ensure that your initiative captures various perspectives.
Meaningful student participation is a primary protective factor and builds leadership, reduces stigma and strengthens school connectedness.
What student engagement looks like in practice
Student engagement in mental health promotion can take many forms depending on the school context and student interests.
This might include:
- student-led wellness or equity initiatives
- advisory groups or councils that inform mental health learning and school climate
- co-created classroom activities, campaigns or resources
- peer-to-peer learning and leadership opportunities supported by adult allies
Effective engagement is intentional and supported. Students are most successful when adults act as allies, helping to create supportive spaces, providing guidance and ensuring initiatives are sustainable and inclusive.
Planning student engagement thoughtfully
Not all engagement efforts have the same impact. The Student Engagement Toolkit provides
practical tools and reflection questions to help schools:
- clarify the purpose of student engagement
- assess readiness and capacity
- support student well-being while engaging in leadership
- build accountable, healthy group agreements
Explore the Student Engagement Toolkit to support meaningful, identity-affirming student engagement in mental health promotion efforts at your school.