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YMHC Parent Peer Support Group Registration and Interest Form

Supporting Parents and Caregivers of Children Experiencing School Attendance Challenges

Welcome!

Youth Mental Health Canada (YMHC) recognizes that parenting a child who experiences challenges with school attendance, engagement, participation, or access to education can be stressful, isolating, and emotionally exhausting.

Our Parent Peer Support Group brings together parents and caregivers who share similar experiences. The group provides a welcoming, compassionate, nonjudgmental space to connect, share experiences, exchange ideas and resources, and support one another.

We recognize that school attendance challenges are complex and may involve mental health, learning differences, disabilities, unmet support needs, school environments, relationships, and other circumstances. Every child and family's experience is unique.

You are welcome whether your child attends school regularly, attends occasionally, has difficulty entering or remaining at school, or is currently unable to attend.

Please complete the following form to help us learn about your family's experiences, needs, and hopes for the group. All questions about your child's experiences are optional.

Section 1: Parent/Caregiver Contact Information

Full Name

Email Address

Phone Number

City/Town

Province/Territory

Preferred Method of Contact

Phone

Text message

Your Relationship to the Child

Parent

Grandparent

Guardian

Other caregiver

Section 2: Information About Your Child

Please do not include your child's name or identifying information.

Age of Child

Current Grade (if applicable)

Type of School or Educational Setting

How would you describe your child's current school attendance or engagement? (Select all that apply.)

Section 3: Understanding Your Child's School Attendance Challenges

What challenges or circumstances may be contributing to your child's difficulties with school attendance, engagement, participation, or access to education?
Select any that apply. No diagnosis is required.

Please share anything you would like us to understand about your child's experiences with school attendance, avoidance, engagement, or participation.

How long has your family been experiencing these challenges?

What approaches or supports have you tried, and what has been helpful or unhelpful?

Section 4: Your Experiences as a Parent or Caregiver

How have your child's school attendance challenges affected you or your family? (Select any that apply.)

What has been the most difficult part of navigating your child's school attendance challenges?

Section 5: Your Hopes for the Parent Peer Support Group

What are you hoping to gain from connecting with other parents and caregivers who share similar experiences? (Select all that apply.)

What topics would you most like the group to discuss?

What would a welcoming, helpful, and supportive parent peer group look and feel like to you?

Is there anything you would like group facilitators to understand about your needs or experiences?

Section 6: Group Participation Preferences

How would you prefer to participate?

Virtual meetings (Zoom)

Online discussion or resource-sharing community

What meeting times generally work best for you?

How frequently would you like the group to meet?

Weekly

Every two weeks

Monthly

No preference

How would you prefer to participate during meetings?

I would feel comfortable sharing my experiences

I would prefer to listen initially

I would like the option to participate anonymously where possible

I am unsure and would like to learn more

Would you be interested in contributing to future group activities?

Sharing resources or experiences

Helping welcome new parents

Participating in parent advocacy initiatives

Helping organize group activities

Not at this time

Section 7: Privacy, Respect, and Consent

YMHC is committed to creating a respectful and supportive environment where parents and caregivers feel safe sharing their experiences.

Participation is voluntary. Members are encouraged to respect different perspectives, maintain appropriate boundaries, and protect the privacy of other participants.

The group provides peer connection, information sharing, and mutual support. It is not a substitute for professional mental health care, individualized educational consultation, or crisis services.

Please confirm:

I understand the purpose of the Parent Peer Support Group.

I agree to respect the privacy and confidentiality of other group members and understand that confidentiality cannot be absolutely guaranteed in a group setting.

I understand that participation and sharing personal experiences are voluntary.

I consent to YMHC using my contact information to communicate with me about this group and my registration.

I understand that I may withdraw from the group or request removal of my registration information.

Optional:

I would also like to receive information about other YMHC parent resources, educational opportunities, and initiatives.

Name

Date

Thank You for Your Interest

Thank you for sharing your experiences and taking this step toward connecting with other parents and caregivers.

At YMHC, we believe that families deserve to be heard, understood, respected, and supported. Parents and caregivers have valuable knowledge and lived experience that can help strengthen understanding, improve educational practices, and create more compassionate responses to school attendance challenges.

You do not need to have answers, solutions, or a success story to belong. Your experiences matter, and your voice is welcome.

Youth Mental Health Canada (YMHC)

Building connection, understanding, and support for students and families experiencing school attendance challenges.