Students will have access to mental health support this summer.
District School Board Ontario North East (DSB1) has included mental health supports in their summer programming this year, said superintendent Steve Pladzyk at the June board of trustees meeting.
“We haven’t seen a large uptake in access to face-to-face mental health services from students in the summertime, so we’ve switched to some provincial models,” said Pladzyk.
While the summer school program includes classes for students in elementary and secondary schools to support their learning, mental health support and education are essential to their success.
The in-class support and education about mental health are part of the summer programs for students looking to improve their grades or get a head start on next year's classes.
The in-class program consists of eight lessons based on the needs of the students taking them and taught by a school mental health professional. The elementary students will learn self-management and a growth mindset, and the secondary students’ classes will add lessons on personal responsibility.
The program One Stop Talk is also promoted for students in need of more help than the in class lessons can provide. The Ministry of Education has supported the use of the app, which offers support in multiple languages.
“They have services and referrals for any student in Ontario that chooses to reach out and ask for help or counselling,” said Pladzyk. “They will connect them to other people in their community if they need any additional supports.”
While the request for services goes down during the summer, according to the DSB1, the need for mental health education never really goes away, said Pladzyk.
He also encouraged families to talk to their children over the summer and check in regularly.
If someone needs extra or emergency support, these services are available.
- North Eastern Ontario Family and Children’s Services (NEOFACS) has office hours from 8:30
- am – 4:40 pm. They can be reached at (705)-360-7100.
- The Black Youth Helpline 1-833-294-8650 has hours 9:00 am -10:00 pm
- First Nations and Inuit Hope for Wellness Helpline is available 24/7. They can be
- reached at 1-855-242-3310.
- Suicide Crisis Helpline is available 24/7. Call or text 9-8-8.
- One Stop Talk offers online services
