Gov’t expanding mental health initiative in Sask. schools

Students at more Saskatchewan schools will be getting help with their mental health.

The provincial government announced Wednesday it would be expanding the Mental Health Capacity Building initiative to more schools in the fall.

Five schools — Dr. Martin LeBoldus Catholic High School in Regina, Hector Thiboutot School in Sandy Bay, North Battleford Comprehensive High School, North Battleford’s John Paul II Collegiate, and Greenall High School in Balgonie — were pilot sites for the initiative.

“These schools served as resource hubs, giving students access to a range of mental health promotion and programming through collaboration between schools, communities and health care providers,” the government said in a media release.

The initiative is getting another $800,000 in funding for 2022-23, increasing the annual total to $2 million.

The Mental Health Capacity Building program “focuses on prevention and mental health promotion, early identification and intervention,” the government said. “It also helps young people better manage their feelings and increase awareness of where they can find help.”

It follows recommendations set out in Saskatchewan’s Mental Health and Addictions Action Plan, a school-based prevention and promotion program that was recommended by the Children’s Advocate.

School divisions get funding to hire Mental Health Capacity Building staff, including a school co-ordinator and wellness promoter who work in the schools.

The province’s 27 school divisions now can apply for funding for the 2022-23 school year. Schools that are selected will be notified in late May, with staff to be hired and start work in September.