Increase Access to Mental Health Resources

A detailed description of the practice

Boost awareness among families of available school and community-based mental health support.

This practice:

is easy and quick to implement
is cost-efficient to put in place
is effective in promoting health and wellness among students
is well received by most students
is well received by teachers and school staff
is helping build and maintain a healthy school culture
will be used for years to come
reaches most students and families within a school
reaches the students and families who need it most
does not require additional funding
is sustainable over time given staff turnover, costs, training, etc.
is easily integrated into the curriculum (Program of Studies)

But this practice:

requires extensive planning
requires additional staff time
requires support or partnerships from outside the school

Examples of specific activities

Connect families to community mental health resources

Share online mental health resources created by a mental health therapist or champion

Provide access to counselling sessions for those in need

Connect families with mental health workers

More from the stakeholders from the education and health sectors about this practice

Teachers need to be educated on what services are available and how families can access them so they can share this.