The Youth Wellness Champions (YWC) program is a peer-led wellness initiative that empowers students to identify well-being priorities within their school communities and take meaningful action. Developed by the Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario (RNAO), the program helps youth build leadership skills, increase mental health literacy, reduce stigma, and promote positive school environments through student-led projects and activities.
Grounded in youth engagement and peer support principles, YWC recognizes the important role students play in fostering healthy, inclusive, and supportive school communities.
Through YWC, students work alongside school staff, public health professionals, and community partners to:
- Identify wellness priorities within their school.
- Develop and implement student-led action plans.
- Promote positive mental health and well-being.
- Increase awareness of mental health and substance use issues.
- Strengthen student voice, leadership, and engagement.
- Foster school connectedness, inclusion, and belonging.
The Thunder Bay District Health Unit supports participating schools by providing guidance, resources, training, and collaboration opportunities to help Student Champions create healthier school communities.
How YWC Works
Every school implements YWC differently, but the program follows a flexible process that transforms student voice into student action.
Student Champions work with Adult Champions and Program Facilitators to identify priorities, develop action plans, implement school-based initiatives, and reflect on their impact.
To learn more about how YWC is implemented within participating schools, including the roles of Program Facilitators, Adult Champions, and Student Champions, visit: From Student Voice to Student Action
Contact Us
Children, Youth and Families
Thunder Bay District Health Unit
(807) 625-5900 or 1-888-294-6630
schools@tbdhu.com
www.tbdhu.com/school-health