School District 47 has called on BC education minister Jennifer Whiteside to provide additional support for mental health.
At the November 16 school board meeting, in correspondence sent from Powell River Board of Education chairperson Dale Lawson, she acknowledged and thanked the minister for efforts that have been made on the topic of mental health, but she was writing seeking further assistance and hoping that in collaboration with other ministries, this may be possible.
“Our schools are the frontlines for any issues associated with mental health for our students,” stated Lawson. “We believe that if increased funding opportunities from your ministry and other ministries were made available, that clinical mental health services and supports for youth within our schools could be provided.
“The strains on mental health and anxiety have been exacerbated due to COVID, not only in our community, but province wide. Now, more than ever, we feel supporting the mental health of students is paramount so that we do not lose any more to suicide or addictions.”
Lawson stated that the board was asking the minister to provide increased funded opportunities, and to work with the board to be part of the solution.
At the meeting, superintendent of schools Jay Yule said mental health is a prevalent and important issue, and that work has been put in place in the district to build capacity with teachers. He said doing a whole level of coordination to build capacity with a permanent person working with schools would be beneficial. With the current budget, he added that the district is not always able to provide all the services that would be of assistance.
