​Bluewater school board hosts Youth Wellness Champions training session

Bluewater District School Board students are leading the way with wellness!

Approximately 100 students from all nine secondary schools visited the Bluewater school board’s education centre in Chesley, Wednesday, for this year’s Youth Wellness Champions launch and training session.

Each school was represented by a team of up to 10 students and a staff lead, who worked together to develop strategies to bring back to their peers — focused on improving health and well-being, reducing stigma around mental illness, and discouraging substance use and misuse.

A provincial initiative, the Youth Wellness Champions program has run for the past several years in the region through a strong partnership with Grey Bruce Public Health, the Registered Nurses Association of Ontario, and School Mental Health Ontario.

The day is about promoting, not pathologizing, says Bluewater’s clinical manager Katie Simpson. By giving students the tools they need to lead, the student voice is amplified to help inform school and board decisions.

Becoming a Youth Wellness Champion assists each student in gaining skills in leadership, communication, public speaking, and facilitation. As a school team, youth-led activities, events, and/or initiatives are developed and delivered to support and promote wellness in all its forms. In collaboration with their staff lead and designated school mental health worker, students are encouraged to meet regularly to plan a project each month.



Student candle-making during the art workshop

A case study from last year’s team at Peninsula Shores District School was shared with this year’s group of students to highlight the types of initiatives that have resonated with the school community. Examples included a poster wall showcasing positive thoughts for the month of February, April Fools’ karaoke, a bracelet-making campaign, and many more.

Georgian Bay Community School student Kali Gallagher, who was also a Youth Wellness Champion last year, was excited to discover some new ideas to bring back to school peers. At the 2024 launch and training day, Kali participated in the art workshop which provided the impetus for a series of school-based activities focused on calmness, self-affirmation, physical health, and positive messaging. This time around, Kali’s chosen workshop focused on healthy relationships, with the goal of addressing issues surrounding peer pressure.

First-time student participant Paige Johnson of Grey Highlands Secondary School, appreciated the opportunity to engage and network with others and the inclusion of school nurses in the launch event. Future considerations for the Grey Highlands group include utilizing the TV screen outside the school’s main office for sharing mental health tips, bringing students together through sporting events, and hosting activities that promote healthy living and alternatives to vaping.
Paige referenced the school’s rural demographic and potential opportunities to incorporate mental health awareness and strategies to reduce stigma into existing initiatives, such as the tractor day tradition. The group has also adopted the title of ‘Youth Wellness Team’ (as opposed to “Champions”) to ensure the group is seen as approachable and inclusive. Paige agrees with the ‘wellness’ focus in the title since it captures the vital aspects of both mental and physical health.

Bruce Peninsula District School student Austin Kerton-Moir gained some new insights through this event, particularly from the information that was shared on the dangers of vaping and the importance of accurate messaging on issues, such as nicotine addiction. Austin’s analytical approach and critical thinking skills will serve the Bruce Peninsula District team well as it moves forward with its planning.

In addition to the workshops, presentations, and table discussions throughout the day, students were able to explore a variety of resources from community partners, create art, and take a pause with St. John Ambulance therapy dogs.

Kristi McCracken, public health nurse with Grey Bruce Public Health, summed up the event perfectly: “The energy in the room was incredible! Youth Wellness Champions are provided with an opportunity to create youth-led wellness initiatives for their schools. The students always feel a lot of pride in the initiatives they organize throughout the school year. The school community is like a second home for students and many of the events planned by champions will help their peers feel as if they belong at school and help them understand more about mental health and wellness resources available to them.”



Bluewater District School Board mental health lead Summer Kueneman (left) and Grey Bruce Public Health nurse Kristi McCracken at the Youth Wellness Champions program



Student presentation with public health