Mental Health

Peel Newcomer Strategy Group (PNSG) convened and collaborated with other community partners on a project, focused on newcomer young adults and international students. This cross-sectoral initiative aimed to improve mental wellness supports and services for newcomer young adults and international students by fostering collaboration and enhancing culturally responsive services was funded by Region of Peel’s Community Safety and Well Being Plan, Mental Health and Addictions Table. This project builds on the recommendations of PNSG’s Mental Health Report (June 2023) which identified key issues related to settlement service delivery and the mental health needs of clients.

The project included partners from multiple sectors including:

• Settlement sector
• School boards
• Healthcare providers
• Child and mental health providers
• Family services
• Post-secondary institutions
• Research groups
• Municipal government

A key stakeholder for the project was the Community Advisory Boards (CAB), consisting of newcomer young adults and international students, who provided valuable insights and shared lived experiences to inform the project’s work.

Key activities included:

• Two in-person forums held in November 2023 and October 2024
• Engaging CAB members in different activities like this photovoice project, providing suggestions for wellness spaces and stigma reduction video.
• Development of a stigma-reduction video.
• Training sessions: virtual lunch-and-learn sessions focused on cultural competency, and in-person training using standardized patients to simulate culturally safe and responsive intake interactions.

This seed funding project was a unique collaboration across sectors to address the needs of newcomer young adults and international students. The training sessions provided safe spaces for open dialogue, self-reflection, and challenging biases while incorporating practical application through simulated scenarios. Participants gained valuable skills, feedback, and insights to create more inclusive client interactions. Collective project activities facilitated resource sharing, strengthened referral pathways, and built lasting cross-sector relationships. During the final forum in October, participants expressed strong interest in continuing collaborations and expanding the training to other frontline staff to maintain the momentum.

Looking ahead to 2025–2028, mental health will remain a strategic priority for PNSG. We will continue to provide learning and networking spaces for Peel service providers and supportive stakeholders. PNSG will also work closely with networks like Peel’s International Student Collaborative to support the mental well-being of newcomer young adults and international students, while exploring opportunities to expand its efforts.