Right track

It’s comforting to see the issue of mental illness no longer lurks in the shadow of society, and that there’s now a concerted effort to better ensure the mental wellness of young people.
The estimation that one-in-five students will suffer a significant mental health problem or disorder over the course of their schooling, and that just one-in-six of those actually are receiving the help they need, is indeed disturbing, as Darryl Gannon of Atikokan High School, who sits on the Rainy River District School Board’s Mental Health and Wellness Committee, told trustees at their regular meeting here last week.
But while there’s clearly a long way to go, the local public school board deserves kudos for its commitment to tackle the problem rather than allowing it to continue to fester in the background.
Not only has it partnered with the local Child and Family Services to provide a part-time counsellor to provide short-term mental health supports for students aged 12 and older, over the past year it formed the Mental Health and Wellness Committee, comprised of staff, community partners, and parent reps, as well as offered a two-day mental health first aid training this past spring.
The board also has worked to have three certified mental health first aid trainers within the district. They are not therapists, as committee member Michelle Mosbeck of Fort Frances High School pointed out, but at least they can direct the affected student to the help they may need—before the situation perhaps spirals out of control.
We all know the stresses faced by teenagers beyond getting good grades in school, whether it’s dating, peer pressure to experiment with drugs and alcohol, or being bullied. And nor will these ever truly disappear.
But given the proactive approach by the local public school board, and with the Northwest Catholic District School Board planning additional measures on this issue, we’re definitely on the right track to helping overcome the stigma of mental illness so that no student finds themselves alone in their time of need.