Community organizations and educators come together for Community Mental Health Symposium
Educators and community organizations from across Halton gathered prior to the winter break for the Illuminate: Shining a Light on Mental Health Community Partnerships Symposium, a one-day event focused on shared learning in support of student well-being.
Hosted by the Halton District School Board and Syl Apps Youth Centre, the symposium brought together administrators, special education teachers, student success teachers, guidance counsellors, youth settlement workers and social workers from Halton District School Board secondary schools.
The event provided opportunities for dialogue, learning and connection between schools and community-based mental health organizations. Through a series of presentations and facilitated discussions, participants explored how schools and community organizations can work together to better respond to student needs and strengthen access to coordinated support.
Sessions were led by a range of community organizations working in mental health and social services, including ROCK (Reach Out Centre For Kids), Halton Women’s Place, Kerr Street Mission and the Halton Regional Police Service Mental Health Unit. Presenters shared insights into their work and outlined available support.
During a session focused on Halton Access and System Navigation, “participants gained a clear understanding of how to support youth and families in accessing mental health services, how to effectively communicate our collaborative, client-centred approach and where to find additional resources,” says Janice Theodoropoulos, Manager of Access and System Navigation at ROCK.
Theodoropoulos emphasized the importance of connections in supporting students: “Strong, coordinated partnerships between community providers and school boards are essential to creating responsive and supportive systems of care. By working together toward our shared goal of strengthening student mental wellness, ensuring the right care is provided at the right time, we help students reach their full potential and create opportunities for them to grow and thrive. We at Reach Out Centre for Kids value our partnership with the Halton District School Board and look forward to continued collaboration through future initiatives and events.”
Designed to highlight the value of community organizations, the symposium reinforced how schools and community services work together to foster student well-being.
"Supporting mental wellness is a shared responsibility that extends beyond schools and into families and the broader community,” says Linda Dela Paz, HDSB Vice Principal of Student Well-Being and Mental Health. “Through connections with community organizations and ongoing learning opportunities for staff, we are working to create environments where students and families feel supported, informed and connected. The event was warmly received and reflected a shared commitment to shining a light on mental wellness and engaging with community organizations for a better path forward."
By emphasizing the importance of coordinated approaches to supporting student mental health, the symposium aligned with the Halton District School Board’s 2024-2028 Multi-Year Strategic Plan and supported the commitments of Kindness, Connection and Community as well as Mental Health and Well-Being.
The HDSB Mental Health Strategy Yearly Action Plan outlines the specific actions being implemented this school year. It focuses on embedding mental health literacy and wellness practices into everyday learning, normalizing help-seeking and equipping educators with professional development to better support student mental health.
To learn more about how the Halton District School Board supports student well-being, visit the Mental Health & Well-Being page on HDSB.ca.
