Mental Health
What is it and how schools can help
Mental Health Definition
Mental health is defined as a state of well-being in which every individual realizes his or her own potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to her or his community. (World Health Organization)
Why Should Mental Health Needs be Addressed in Schools?
· Approximately 20 per cent (one in five) of children and youth have a mental health problem (Waddell et al., 2002).
· Mental health problems can seriously impair children’s ability to be successful at school and in their relationships with their peers.
Supporting Minds: Educator’s Guide to Promotiing Students’ Mental Health and Well-being (p. 4)
Strategies and Resources
Strategies that can be used in schools or classrooms that can promote good mental health
-explicitly teach social and emotional skills through modeling, practice, and feedback (i.e. using manners, asking oneself “is this a big problem or little problem?”
-help guide students with building positive relationships (role play, attentive listening, teaching character traits)
-involve students in meaningful activities (i.e. community service, leadership opportunities, sport teams, clubs, plays, other co-curricular activities)
-teach students how to effectively manage stress and conflict (i.e. the use of I-statements- I feel _______when ______________. Next time I need you to _____________)
-breakfast club to promote and encourage healthy eating and the importance of nutrition
-providing daily physical activity and frequent movement breaks
-teach study and test taking skills
-promote positive school climate (tribes- attentive listening, appreciation/no put downs, mutual respect, the right to pass)
-take steps to be informed about mental illness
-take the time to listen to the students, build trust, and be supportive and understanding of their needs
-initiate discussions with parents to learn more about students’ circumstances and needs
-create SMART (specific, measureable, achievable and action-oriented, realistic and relevant, time-limited) goals
-engage all students through differentiated instruction and universal design for learning
-praise good behaviour
-establish clear and consistent behavioural expectations
Strategies that can be used in schools or classrooms that can educate students on mental health
-mental health awareness
-guest speakers
-health projects related to mental health
-teachers can help reduce the stigma associated with mental health problems by discussing mental health issues in class and helping students to find and use reliable, in-depth information on the topic
Where can you go for further information?
Tribes
https://www.cmha.ca/mental-health/your-mental-health/
Ontario Centre of Excellence for Child and Youth Mental Health
Supporting Minds: Educator’s Guide to Promoting Students’ Mental Health and Well-being
http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/document/reports/SupportingMinds.pdf
Caring and Safe Schools in Ontario
http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/general/elemsec/speced/Caring_Safe_School.pdf
Canadian Mental Health Association:
Children’s Mental Health Ontario
Mental Health Canada
Mental Health Commission of Canada
www.mentalhealthcommission.ca/Pages/index.html
Positive Mental Health Toolkit
http://www.jcshpositivementalhealthtoolkit.com
Canadian Mental Health Association. (2004). Handle with care. Strategies for promoting the mental health of young children in community-based child care. Ottawa: Author.
Canadian Psychiatric Research Foundation. (2004). When something’s wrong: Ideas for families. Toronto: Author.
Canadian Psychiatric Research Foundation. (2005). When something’s wrong: Ideas for teachers. Toronto: Author.