WCDSB Youth Led Mental Health Symposium Hosted at The Grove Woolwich

On Thursday, April 3, approximately 90 grade 11 and 12 students from across Wellington Catholic District School Board will gather at The Grove Youth Wellness Hubs Ontario, for a day of engaging workshops, insightful discussions, and practical wellness strategies. As a key partner in this event, The Grove Youth Wellness Hubs Ontario will introduce students to the wide range of supports available for transitional-age youth, providing them with essential tools to navigate life’s challenges with confidence.

Throughout the day, students will participate in a series of workshops led by expert community partners. Homewood CADS, in collaboration with Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health, will offer a session on how dependencies develop and share proactive strategies for fostering healthy habits.The Grove will be facilitating a workshop on the art of self-care, with a focus on preventing burnout. The Canadian Mental Health Association of Waterloo Wellington (CMHA WW) will facilitate a workshop on how to support friends through difficult times while still maintaining personal boundaries and wellbeing.

In the afternoon, WCDSB’s Student Senate will facilitate small group discussions, allowing students to reflect on the day’s learning and explore ways to integrate these insights into their schools and communities.

To further support student wellbeing, each participant will receive a wellness bag filled with stress management tools for exams, a gratitude journal, self-regulation strategies, and information on both local and school-based supports.

This symposium highlights the collective commitment to student wellbeing and underscores the strength of collaborative partnerships in our community. By bringing together youth voices, school leadership, and community organizations, this event serves as a powerful example of how collective action can champion mental health and create lasting positive change.