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Addressing Mental Health Challenges in Saskatchewan Schools
The topic of mental health continues to be a significant concern in Saskatchewan, particularly for young people who face greater hurdles due to the limited support available in educational settings. The lack of adequate mental health resources in schools has raised alarms among various stakeholders.
Shawn Davidson, president of the Saskatchewan School Boards Association, emphasized that current resources provided by school divisions have not kept pace with the rising demand for mental health support. “We need more professionals in our schools,” stated Samantha Becotte, president of the Saskatchewan Teachers Federation (STF), highlighting the urgency of the issue.
Students currently have access to school counselors; however, no school in the province meets the ideal recommended student-to-counselor ratio. “On average, there is about one counselor for every 600 to 700 students. Research suggests that this should ideally be closer to one counselor for every 250 students,” Becotte noted.
Becotte pointed out that the demand for resources is growing, yet the number of available counselors is declining, leading to overwhelmed staff. “Counselors often find themselves responding to crises rather than engaging in preventive measures to help students,” she added.
Government Initiatives and Funding
In light of these challenges, the Government of Saskatchewan has announced an increase in funding for the mental health capacity-building program in its latest budget. This initiative aims to enhance the presence of Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) professionals in schools to effectively address rising mental health needs among students.
“We require strong partnerships with health and social services to effectively provide the necessary support for youth,” Davidson noted. He mentioned the need for collaboration among different ministries to overcome existing barriers in service delivery.
Becotte added that while government initiatives are beneficial, they often place the onus on teachers to identify and address mental health issues, further stretching their already limited resources. “Teachers are multitasking to the point where they cannot solely focus on instruction. They are frequently drawn into addressing crises, which detracts from their educational responsibilities,” she explained.
As the situation evolves, both organizations assert that students are increasingly falling through the cracks due to inadequate resources. “More students are going without essential support, either facing long wait times for counseling or lacking access altogether,” Becotte remarked.
Davidson also highlighted the necessity for collaboration with other organizations and ministries, noting that even these avenues can fall short in meeting student needs. “Ensuring access to vital resources is paramount, regardless of their source,” he said.
The Saskatchewan government supports additional initiatives alongside the Mental Health Capacity Building Program, including funding for Kids Help Phone, SaskTel’s Be Kind Online initiative, Rapid Access Counselling, the Saskatoon Restorative Action Program, and the Saskatchewan Roughrider Foundation Game Changers Playbook initiative.
Ultimately, both Davidson and Becotte agree on the importance of prioritizing student well-being. “Mental health supports are crucial; without them, youth cannot thrive academically. We are committed to doing everything possible to support our students,” concluded Davidson.
Source
globalnews.ca