In this session participants discussed strategies and actionable steps within contexts relevant to mental wellness in Canada.

Content specialists and breakout room topics

• • Elizabeth Cawley, National Student Mental Health Strategy – Engaging youth and young leaders
  • Katie Cook, Renison University College – Mental health of 2SLGBTQI+ Canadians
  • Joey Jalal, Multicultural Health Brokers Cooperative – Mental health of immigrants, newcomers, and refugees
  • Linda Liebenberg, researcher and evaluator – Child and youth mental health
  • Sheri Madigan, University of Calgary – Infant and early childhood mental health
  • Hannah Neufeld, University of Waterloo – Wellbeing of Indigenous Peoples within Canada
  • Eki Okungbowa, Youth and Innovation Project – Wellbeing of Black Canadians
  • Heidi Walter, A Way Home Canada – Preventing youth homelessness

Overview of discussions

Participant-identified priority goals for the future of their mental health promotion work included:

• • More integration and collaboration across sectors to address social determinants of mental health and well-being (intersectoral collaboration).
  • Simplified pathways to access mental health services.
  • Focus on offering more parent education, family programs with an emphasis on supporting and strengthening families.
  • More focus on normalizing practices that promote mental health in the early years.
  • Public health campaign on the potential impact of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) on long-term health and wellbeing, and the importance on positive childhood experiences that can buffer ACEs.
  • Long-term, sustainable mental health funding for 2SLGBTQIA+ specific initiatives.
  • Engaging immigrant and refugee youth and providing wrap around supports.
  • Empowering youth, co-creating things with them vs. creating for them.
  • Building trust and delivering on promises.

Resources related to this session

• • Full session summary (coming soon!)

February 28, 2023