The Toronto Youth Cabinet calls on Ontario Government to allow students to take mental health days without a doctor’s note

BY PAUL JUNOR

The Toronto Youth Cabinet (TYC) continues to bring awareness of issues with respect to a broad range of social justice, equity and health disparities involving youths in Toronto.

As the City of Toronto’s official youth advisory body, Stephen Mensah who serves as Executive Director has been a strong advocate for change. According to the Centre for Urban Youth Research’s website: urbanyouthrsearch.ca, Stephen serves as a Youth Director For Youth Initiative in the York South-Weston Community. He has “Made it a priority to promote awareness to issues revolving around marginalized youth and community members’ involvement for positive changes.”

On Wednesday, January 26^th the TYC released a press release titled, “The Toronto Youth Cabinet calls for Mental Health Days for students in Ontario.” The introduction to the press release acknowledged what has become widespread among parents, educators, teachers, social workers and mental health experts that the COVID-19 pandemic has taken an immense emotional, mental and psychological toll on students.

In order to strengthen the case for Mental Health Days, the TYC conducted a mental health survey of 1,042 Ontario students between 12 to 19 years. The survey, results and findings can be seen at the TYC’s Twitter @TOYouthCabinet or Instagram @toyouthcabinet.I 

The Mental Health Survey focuses on six specific areas with the following questions.

Mental health literacy
Would you be supportive of mandatory mental health literacy in the Ontario curriculum? 94.9% of the respondents were in agreement.

Mental health training
Would you be supportive of mandatory mental health training for teachers and school staff?

98.2% of the respondents were in agreement.

Mental health awareness
What would you perceive to be the most prevalent mental health issue among youth?

56.3% responded anxiety, 30.8% depression and 8.6% suicidal thoughts/tendencies.

Mental health literacy
Mental health matters are considered under general health problems?

68.1% of the respondents agreed, while 31.9% disagreed.

Accessibility and ease of access
(i)What would you say is your ease of access to mental health support in your school?

79% responded that they struggled to access mental health support.

(ii)Does your school have a mental health worker?

56.3% responded yes, and 43.7% responded no.

(iii) How important is it for you to have Black, Indigenous and People of Colour (BIPOC) mental health workers available to you?

43.4% responded, “very important”, 24.3% responded, “somewhat important” and 26.2% responded “neither/neutral.” Overall, 67.7% of surveyed students think access to BIPOC mental health workers is important.

The TYC tweeted, “We are calling on the Government of Ontario to allow students to be absent from school for mental or behavioural health reasons; under an excused absence as outlined in the Education Act.” Stephen Mensah tweeted, “We’ve lost too many people due to our schools and neglect to properly address mental health. Ensuring our students are able to access Mental Health Days will not only emphasize the importance of self-care and prioritizing mental health but will aid in de-stigmatizing mental health and allow for more open conversations amongst students, parents and teachers.”