The Provincial Council for Maternal and Child Health (PCMCH) and the Centre d’Établissement de Soutien et d’Orientation Communautaire (CÉSOC) are seeking individuals to form an Advisory Table to guide the development of a multilingual, culturally responsive mental health toolkit for newcomer youth in Ontario.
What’s the Purpose of the Toolkit?
Newcomer youth across Ontario face multiple mental health challenges linked to migration, acculturation, racism and other systemic barriers. Despite being at higher risk, these youth often underutilize mental health services due to stigma, language barriers, lack of awareness and inadequate access to culturally relevant resources.
The mental health toolkit for newcomer youth will help address these gaps by empowering newcomer youth to better understand, navigate and access mental health support supports available in Ontario. It will also serve as a resource for newcomer youth as well as educators, settlement workers, healthcare providers and other professionals supporting newcomer youth.
How Will the Advisory Table Work?
The Advisory Table will provide strategic guidance and content expertise to support the co-design and development of the toolkit, ensuring it reflects evidence-informed best practices, community needs and cultural relevance.
What We’re Looking For
The Advisory Table will include representatives from health, education and settlement sectors, as well as individuals with lived experience and expertise in youth mental health, equity, trauma-informed care and cultural safety.
We are especially interested in individuals who:
- Work with newcomer youth in clinical, educational or community settings;
- Are involved in youth engagement, health equity or anti-racism initiatives;
- Have experience in mental health systems navigation, prevention or early intervention;
- Have experience co-developing or implementing toolkits or community-based resources; and/or
- Know the social determinants of health and systemic inequities affecting newcomer populations.
Key qualities and attributes include:
- A commitment to equity, inclusion and culturally responsive practice;
- Strong collaboration and communication skills;
- An ability to act in the best interests of newcomer youth and the broader mental health system; and
- A willingness to review materials and participate in virtual meetings.
What’s the Commitment?
Advisory Table members will participate in three to four virtual meetings between September 2025 and March 2026. Members are expected to review and provide feedback on draft content and contribute to meaningful discussions on best practices. Participation in this provincial advisory table is voluntary.
How to Apply
Interested individuals are invited to complete the online expression of interest form by September 19, 2025. As part of the process, you may be asked to upload a resume.
For any questions or further assistance, please contact Sinaa Dabbagh, Program Manager, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, at sinaa.dabbagh@pcmch.on.ca.
There is a separate call for expressions of interest for people with lived experience that can be accessed here.
PCMCH is committed to advancing equity, diversity, and inclusion in Ontario’s maternal and child health system. We strongly encourage applications from professionals who reflect the diverse backgrounds of the newcomer communities served across the province.
About PCMCH
Established in 2008, PCMCH is a provincial organization that provides evidence-based and strategic leadership for perinatal, newborn, child and youth health services in Ontario. PCMCH is funded by the Government of Ontario.