Ensuring transparency and consistency in school accommodation policies.

Yarmouth – 2023

In fall 2023, the Nova Scotia Health Authority and SHYFT Youth Services partnered to bring the Agenda Gap program to Yarmouth Consolidated Memorial High School. The program followed a public engagement event where numerous youth spoke about their experiences with mental health, highlighting the need for stronger support and advocacy.

Twelve students met weekly from December 2023 to June 2024 to explore and lead efforts to improve positive mental health. The group identified key challenges, including limited access to mental health services and inconsistent application of school accommodation policies. They met with two school board leaders to call attention to these issues and to seek advice on how to effectively move forward with their advocacy. Upon leaders’ recommendation, youth created a poster, ‘Know Your Resources’, to explain their message in a simple, clear format, and to outline actionable steps. The poster was shared with school leadership, who later sought youth input on future planning.

Participants planned to use the poster and their ally network to inform the creation of a Wellness Tree, outlining mental health and wellness resources in their school and local community. They also began planning a school-wide event for the following year to unveil the tree and bring together various community agencies and organizations for youth to connect with directly. This work is now being continued by the 2025 Agenda Gap cohort.