The education system plays an important role in contributing to enhanced positive mental health in children and youth. Promoting and supporting positive mental health and welcoming, caring, respectful, and safe learning environments is vital to ensuring children and youth are resilient better able to learn, achieve success and build healthy relationships. This is the shared responsibility of parents, educators, community and government. Alberta Education website https://www.alberta.ca/mental-health-in-schools#jumplinks-0
How will you show that students’ mental health has improved?
What evidence will you use?
Measurements of Inclusion, Sense of Safety, Belonging - Survey data, observational data
Leading indicators: Attendance data for students as an example, Absentee rates, Conflicts (student/student, teacher/teacher, teacher/student, family/school, etc.)
Challenge: Accessibility does not necessarily connote knowledge:
Challenge: Understanding of what is mental health and what it no
Challenge: Hesitation/capacity of school staff, admin to identify and address
Challenge: What is under our purview to impact and support
Challenge: Expectations of those WITH mental health challenges trying to identify it for others
Challenge: Existing in a shifting context that defines what mental health spaces you can occupy and those you cannot