YMHC School and Community Peer Support Program

About the Program

Peer support is an evidence, strength and hope-based practice that has been shown to have great value in supporting people with mental health challenges. Support can be social, emotional, or practical support. Peer support is based on shared personal experience and empathy. The focus is on the wellbeing of individuals.“Peer support builds confidence and hope for healing.”

School Peer Support Programs

It's for Everyone

The Peer Support program is open to:

Elementary to postsecondary schools, public and private, are eligible to register in the School Peer Support Program or the Community Peer Support Program. Schools can be located anywhere in Canada or around the world. An official from the school registered for the YMHC School Peer Support Program must complete the registration form. The official can be a teacher, school administrator, school support professional, or mental health lead.

Program Details

  • School Peer Support Program

    • YMHC will provide free downloads of our Compassionate Cards: 24 greeting cards – 12 animal caricatures with puns and 12 inspirational cards.
    • Schools will develop a peer support team of students and school advisors to write messages of support on e-cards or print cards
    • School support professionals, teacher, guidance counselor and other “trusted adults” will identify students who are struggling and provide a message of support
    • YMHC will provide opportunities to meet and share ideas, ask questions, and get support. All meetings will be held via Zoom.

  • Community Peer Support Program

    • Schools might also be interested in working with a local community facility or organization to provide compassionate cards to people in hospitals, treatment centers, and other community organizations.
    • YMHC will provide free downloads of our Compassionate Cards: 24 greeting cards – 12 animal caricatures with puns and 12 inspirational cards.
    • Schools will develop a peer support team of students and school advisors to write messages of support on e-cards or print cards
    • YMHC will provide opportunities to meet and share ideas, ask questions, and get support. All meetings will be held via Zoom.

Enroll Your Organization

Steps:

  1. Fill out the application form.
  2. Download YMHC’s free digital greeting cards (included in the confirmation email).
  3. You may also get printed greeting cards and postcards with our third-party vendor.
  4. Put cards with or without messages of support in a public location so that students or staff can take them when needed.
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