Note from the editor: CrossCurrents Autumn 2004

CrossCurrents

I remember a fellow student in high school who was withdrawn and quiet. She often missed school, but nobody seemed to know exactly why. Several years later, I heard that she had committed suicide. I couldn't help but wonder whether there was something her teachers and other school staff could have done to help her. If they had been better trained to detect problems and intervene, could this tragedy have been averted?

It's an important and timely question. Statistics Canada's Canadian Community Health Survey in 2003 found that 18 per cent of respondents between 15 and 24 said they had experienced a mental disorder. That means that problems like depression, bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder and substance use will probably affect the lives of at least one student in every teacher's classroom during some point in their careers. With so many young people in need of special care, it's important to identify students with mental health and substance use problems and take appropriate action.

But with massive cuts to the education system, school boards are focusing on their priority of classroom teaching, and are being forced to reduce the provision of school-based special education, guidance, social workers and psychologists, which have traditionally been a crucial front-line resource for students. Yet schools are the most accessible contact point for children; in schools, emerging problems may be detected and treated at an early stage.

As Helen Buttery's story points out, there's a real need for greater collaboration between schools and mental health agencies to meet the social, emotional and academic needs of students with mental health issues. Michelle Ruck offers a personal perspective on her struggle to complete her education while dealing with addiction. Astrid Van Den Broek's story calls for improved understanding and increased resources to meet the educational needs of students with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder. Cindy McGlynn discusses comprehensive school health - a vision outlined by the World Health Organization's Expert Committee on Comprehensive School Health Education and Promotion that promotes the physical, mental, social and spiritual health of the whole school community.

As we prepare for the cooler days ahead, take the time to ponder these ideas. Send us your comments, suggestions and ideas, so that we can continue providing you with coverage of the issues that matter to you.

Hema Zbogar
tel 416 595-6714
hema_zbogar@camh.net

 

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