(File photo/ paNOW Staff)

By paNOW staff

Mental Health

PACI, St. John students included in mental health plan

Aug 30, 2022 | 10:52 AM

Two Prince Albert schools have been added to a plan to help students in Saskatchewan improve their mental health.

Both Prince Albert Collegiate Institute and St. John students will be part of the program this fall.

“We are fully supportive of this Mental Health Capacity Building initiative and are pleased that the Ministries of Health and Education can support this program which is being led by the Saskatchewan Health Authority,” Saskatchewan Rivers board chair Barry Hollick said. “The program guidelines and its inclusion of professional staff will provide our students and school communities the opportunity to benefit from this valuable program.”

The province announced today that another $800,000 was added to the Mental Health Capacity Building in order to expand the project to the two schools in Prince Albert, along with Churchill school in La Ronge, Weyburn Comprehensive School and Dr. Brass School in Yorkton.

Staff will be hired to work in the schools and deliver mental health programming that includes promotion, prevention and helping others who work with children and families.

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The new money means Saskatchewan Education will now spend $2 million annually to fund the program in a total of 10 schools.

“We are pleased to expand this successful initiative into additional Saskatchewan schools, reaching more students in our province,” Education Minister Dustin Duncan said. “Providing additional mental health support in our schools is essential to provide a positive learning environment for our youth.”

Five of the 10 were part of a pilot project last year and acted as resource hubs that gave students access to services.

Dr. Martin LeBoldus Catholic High School in Regina; Hector Thiboutot School in Sandy Bay; North Battleford Comprehensive High School and John Paul II Collegiate in North Battleford; and Greenall High School in Balgonie were all in the pilot project.

The initiative promotes positive mental health in children, youth, families and people in the community who interact with children by focusing on prevention and mental health promotion, early identification and intervention. It also helps young people better manage their feelings and increase awareness of where they can find help.

“We are very pleased with the success of the pilot and want to provide further support by expanding the program to five more schools across the province,” Seniors, and Rural and Remote Minister Everett Hindley said. “We have heard how impactful this program has been on the mental health of children and youth, and we want to see this grow across Saskatchewan.”

The Mental Health Capacity Building initiative addresses recommendations outlined in Saskatchewan’s Mental Health and Addictions Action Plan. This school-based prevention and promotion program was recommended by the Saskatchewan Advocate for Children and Youth, and helps build resilience in youth, families and communities.

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panews@pattisonmedia.com

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