Health Promoting Schools
There is ample evidence that school-based programs in elementary, middle and high schools can influence positive mental health and reduce risk factors and emotional and behavioural problems
through social-emotional learning and ecological interventions. (WHO, 2004) |
On this webpage the HRSB Health Promotion Team is pleased to offer teachers and school communities mental health promotion curriculum resources, programs, community connections and incentives within a Health Promoting School approach.
School-based health promotion is not new. Schools and communities have been dealing with these issues for decades. However, response to these issues has resulted in inconsistent, fragmented approaches, with only pockets of excellence. We have however, learned what does and does not work in health promotion.
- programs developed in response to a perceived crisis (risk repeat trauma)
- scare tactics (pictures of black lungs)
- sporadic, uncoordinated school involvement (such as a one-day self-esteem activity)
- a one-time event (such as a Health Fair)
- initiatives based largely on an external one-time guest speaker
- little or no investment in teacher training
- resources not based on evidence
(Lavin et al., 1992; WHO, 1996; NHMRC, 1996; Allensworth, 1995; St Leger, 1998; St Leger & Nutbeam, 1999)
Where school communities take an active role in promoting the wellbeing of young people there is significant positive behaviour, improved academic outcomes as well as a healthier and happier school community.
(Who,2006)
- learn more about the elements of effective health education at
Safe and Healthy Schools
- building a school culture/environment where mental health is valued and promoted
- creating basic mental health literacy amongst staff and students using evidence-based approaches
- incorporating mental health promotion, intervention and treatment
- supportive policies for social and emotional well being
- life skill training with meaningful participation in mentoring and peer leadership programs
read more about peer-led programs
- involve parents and community partners to support school- and class-wide evidence-based programs
- use a whole-school – a
Health Promoting School approach
www. Intercamhs.org
As members of the Our Healthy School Committee, the HRSB Health Promotion Team works closely with schools to connect the
three components of a Health Promoting School (HPS) framework: what’s taught in the classroom with school community partners and the formal and informal policies that support a healthy school environment.
HEALTH PROMOTING SCHOOL COMPONENT: PRACTICE
CURRICULUM:
Schools promote mental health through the curriculum and supportive learning environments which emphasize communication, social and problem-solving skills. The school environment also provides opportunities to develop positive relationships with peers. Mental health education has the capacity to achieve a number of outcomes including: promoting cognitive and social skills, increasing students’ awareness and understanding of mental health and its relevance to them, and decreasing the stigma associated with mental illness.
The
Our Healthy School webpage offers Primary – Grade 9 teachers a directory of health-related curriculum resources, supplements and activities already matched to learning outcomes. Some examples include the following or search the
OHS Resource Directory.
Healthy Mind, Healthy Body: A Mental Health Curriculum Supplement. This excellent resource has been distributed to every teacher of Health Education 4-6 and to teachers of Healthy Living (PDR) 7-9. This resource is directly linked to specific curriculum outcomes of mental and emotional health.
Coming Soon: P-3 Curriculum Supplement
Healthy Mind, Healthy Body: My Health and My Brain.
The Mental Health & High School Curriculum Guide is an educational supplement for teachers. Created by the Canadian Mental Health Association in collaboration with the Sun Life Financial Chair in Adolescent Mental Health. The curriculum guide is
online.
Living Values: An Educational Program is a comprehensive values education program. This innovative global character education program offers a wide variety of experiential values activities and practical methodologies to teachers, facilitators, parents and caregivers that enable children and young adults to explore and develop twelve universal values: Peace, Respect, Cooperation, Freedom, Happiness, Honesty, Humility, Love, Responsibility, Simplicity, Tolerance, and Unity. To learn more visit,
Living Values or email
Judy Johnson about the next training workshop .
PATHS® (Promoting Alternative THinking Strategies) - A social and emotional learning program for children in grades P-6. This research-based and proven-effective PATHS program is a violence-prevention curriculum that promotes social and emotional learning (SEL), character development, and bullying prevention, and builds the problem-solving abilities and other life skills required for positive relationships today -- and throughout students' lives. With a 30 year history in USA, the Canadian Mental Health Association is now piloting in 3 Nova Scotia schools with amazing mid-point evaluation. There is funding support for province-wide promotion, distribution and training for future implementation. Email Inquiries are welcome
Krista Steeves
Breakfast Programs not only nourish students and contribute to their physical well-being but they also contribute to student’s mental well-being by relieving stress in students with low socio-economic status as they do not need to worry if they will be fed at the beginning of the day. Well nourished students are more attentive, better learners, have more energy and are less likely to have classroom behaviour issues. The social aspect of bringing students together for a common breakfast provides a pleasant way to start the school day regardless of a student’s home setting. Breakfast programs provide opportunities for student leadership and builds self-esteem, a sense of belonging and giving back to the school community. Breakfast Programs provide opportunities for staff/adults to engage with youth in a positive way outside the classroom. To find our more about Breakfast Programs, click
here.
Physical activity can also boost mental wellbeing. The benefits of physical activity have been widely known in association with physical health and fitness. Regular physical activity can lift moods, help to deal with negative emotions (such as anger) and bring about a general sense of mental wellbeing. It can help with better sleep, reduce tension levels, feelings of stress or fatigue, and gives more energy. A Health Promoting School provides physical activity opportunities that help students and staff see how capable they are. Learning a new skill or achieving a goal, however minor, boosts self-esteem and motivation, and can start a positive cycle to success. For more information about extra-curricular physical activities, click
here.
The
Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) is Canada's largest mental health and addiction teaching hospital. The CAMH web resource identifies the 10 best practice guidelines to mental health promotion interventions directed toward children (7–12 years of age) and youth (13–19 years of age). To learn more about the best practice guidelines visit
CAMH. To find Resources for Teachers and Schools, visit
CAMH Resources.
Playground Activity Leaders in Schools (P.A.L.S) is a leadership program designed for upper elementary school students. This program teaches students to organize fun and active games on the school yard, at recess, lunch and beyond. If your school has an existing Peer Mediation program, P.A.L.S. compliments such programming by providing additional leadership training and incorporating more physical activity. P.A.L.S. works toward the common goal of more cooperation and friendly play, with less conflict on the school yard. For more information, please click
here.
Doctors Nova Scotia Youth Running Program is a free, school-based program designed to help Nova Scotia youth become more active. The program teaches the basics of running in a fun, non-competitive environment. It helps participants build up to running a final distance of 2.1, 4.2 or 5 kilometres. Participants also learn the importance of choosing a healthy lifestyle. The Youth Running for Fun program can be implemented at all grade levels as an extracurricular or school-wide activity. The program coordinator helps tailor the program to best suit schools and visits when possible, to support coaches, motivate participants and provide running clinics. For more information please email
Kerry or visit
DoctorsNS
Heart&Stroke Walkabout is an initiative of the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Nova Scotia, Nova Scotia Department of Health Promotion and Protection, and the Ecology Action Centre. Our vision is a revitalized culture of walking in Nova Scotia. We aim to motivate Nova Scotians to discover the magic of walking and encourage them to consider both the physical and mental benefits of walking within their communities. It's about changing the way we think about walking - putting feet back on the streets and walking back in the hearts and minds of Nova Scotians. To learn more visit
Walkabout.
Safe Routes to School programs enable community leaders, schools and parents to improve safety and encourage more children, including children with disabilities, to safely walk and bicycle to school. In the process, programs are working to reduce traffic congestion and improve health and the environment, making communities more liveable for everyone. Learn more about
Safe Routes and visit their related web pages on Walking Programs, International Walk to School Month, Winter Walk Day, Spring into Spring, The IWALK Club, WOW - Walk/Wheel on, Wednesdays, School Zone Safety, No Idling at School, The Walking School Bus, Classroom Mapping, Ideas for High Schools, Top Ten Activities, ASRTS Resource Guide, Info for Teachers, and Newsletters.
Roots of Empathy is a powerful idea whose time has come. An evidence-based classroom program, its mission is to build caring, peaceful, and civil societies – child by child – through the development of empathy in children. For more information, please contact Terry Bartlett-Visser at (902) 827-5859, email
Terry or visit
Roots of Empathy.
Second Step was developed to meet two primary objectives: to reduce aggression and increase pro-social behaviours. To find out more, visit
Second Step.
Lions Quest - changing attitudes about student’s interaction; increasing knowledge of non-violent techniques for dealing with conflict; and fostering the behaviours that help children and youth put conflict resolution into action. To find out more email
Joanne or phone toll-free: 1-800-265-2680.
Friends For Life - FRIENDS is a world-leading program proven to be effective in helping children and youth cope with feelings of fear, worry, and depression and build emotional resilience and self-esteem. FRIENDS is being used in schools and clinics around the world and is the only program of its kind recognized by the (WHO) World Health Organization. The FRIENDS program uses a simple format to teach important cognitive,behavioural, and emotional skills, such as:
• Recognition of anxiety signs
• Positive management of emotions
• Empathy training
• Relaxation techniques
• Positive self-talk
• Changing unhelpful to helpful thoughts
• Problem solving
• Facing feared or difficult situations
• Looking for the positive in situations
FRIENDS promotes children’s self-confidence in dealing with difficult or anxiety provoking situations and equips them with coping skills. To learn more visit
www.friendsrt.com
Canadian Mental Health Association – Mental Health and High School webpage. The Teachers’ and School Staff section of the website is designed to provide high school personnel – teachers, guidance counsellors and others who have direct contact with young people – with practical information and tools to become more aware of the impact of mental health problems and mental illness on students’ learning and provide supports that can lessen that impact and allow students to become successful learners. Find out more at CMHA
The
Students’ section of the website is for all teens struggling with mental health problems, whether or not you’ve got an actual diagnosis. So read on, and find out more for
Students
The
Parents’ section of the Mental Health and High School site is a tool for personal experiences of family members advocating for their teens within the school and the community at
Parents
The Transitions: Student Reality Check booklet is the first publication of its kind and is a unique resource created to help students overcome many of the issues they face as they transition from high school to post-secondary education. To read more visit the
Booklet.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
In December, the HRSB Health Promotion Team successfully completed another Health Promoting School Conference, focused on mental health promotion. This HPS conference was a great success and led to a growing understanding about the role for Halifax Regional School Board schools and promoting mental wellness. Upcoming mental health promotion PD opportunities are listed on the OHS “
News Items” webpage or review some of the following ongoing initiatives:
Canadian Mental Health Association Nova Scotia Division's mission is to promote the mental health of all Nova Scotians, recognizing cultural diversity. To learn more, visit
CMHA Nova Scotia Division .
The CMHA works closely with the eight local branches to provide the following programs, services and initiatives including:
Communities Addressing Suicide Together (CAST) - An initiative to assist communities in building their capacity to prevent suicide. Community capacity building is all about building people's commitment and skills to build on strengths within the community to address problems, and to react to potential opportunities. Evidence-based means identifying the root factors that contribute to suicide, and using a variety of evidence-based strategies at the community, organizational and individual levels to address suicide. The initiative will work to connect individuals and organizations that have a role to play in the local community to prevent suicide, and work with them to plan for, and work toward preventing suicide in their community. The initiative will provide provincial leadership and coordination that will support both new & existing local suicide prevention coalitions. For more information email Angela at or visit
CAST
The Communities Addressing Suicide Together 2010 Provincial Conference was held on Friday March 26th, 2010 at Shearwater, NS, including: Addressing Suicide in NS; South Shore Safe Communities Working Group; Pictou County Suicide Response Coalition; Halifax Bridges; NAYSPS; safeTALK: suicide alertness for everyone - review some of the
presentations.
For Teachers – the Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention National Conference October 6 and 7, 2010 in Halifax, NS. For more information please email Angela or visit
CASP National Conference.
The Nova Scotia Strategic Framework to Address Suicide is a seven to ten year plan for reducing suicide/attempted suicide in Nova Scotia. The Vision of the Nova Scotia Strategic Framework to Address Suicide is: Working together to reduce the impact of suicide through building hope, strength, and resiliency, so that every person can lead a healthy and safe life. Read a copy of the
Framework to Address Suicide.
CMHA “Changing Minds” Program – seven instructional modules and one practice module for those interested in learning about and understanding mental illness For more information visit
CMHA
“Mental Health Works” Program - an “award-winning” workshop designed to assist “managers” deal with issues surrounding mental illness in the workplace. For more information vist
CMHA
ASIST: Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training The ASIST workshop is for caregivers who want to feel more comfortable, confident and competent in helping to prevent the immediate risk of suicide. Over 750,000 caregivers have participated in this two-day, highly interactive, practical, practice-oriented workshop. To learn more visit
Living Works or email
Angela about upcoming training workshops.
safeTALK: suicide alertness for everyone - Complementing ASIST,
safeTALK, helps to create suicide-safer communities. A training lasting about three hours, safeTALK is for everyone in the community and is designed to ensure that persons with thoughts of suicide are connected to helpers who are prepared to provide first aid interventions. safeTALK is designed to be used in organizations and communities where there are already ASIST-trained caregivers. Suicide alert helpers are part of a suicide-safer community. To learn more visit
Living Works or email
Angela about upcoming training workshops.
Youth at Risk of Suicide - This website is designed for people working with youth, parents and guardians and youth themselves. The portal,
Information for Professionals includes:
- Best Practices in Youth Suicide Prevention
- Talking with Youth About Suicide
- Warning Signs and Risk Factors
- Protective Factors
- Myths and Facts
- Trends in Youth Suicide
- Confidentiality Issues
- After a Suicide Attempt (includes: "After a Crisis: Short-term Strategies", and "After a Crisis: Long-term Strategies")
- Bereavement Issues for the Professional Caregiver
- Considerations for School Settings
- Training in Suicide Prevention
- Further Information for People Working with Youth
Mental Health First Aid Canada program aims to improve mental health literacy, and provide the skills and knowledge to help people better manage potential or developing mental health problems in themselves, a family member, a friend or a colleague.
The program does not teach people how to be therapists. It does teach people how to:
■Recognize the signs and symptoms of mental health problems.
■Provide initial help.
■Guide a person towards appropriate professional help.
To learn more about Mental Health First Aid or to view classes in your area,
click here.
The Mental Health Training for Teachers is designed to complement the Mental Health and High School Curriculum Guide (see above under “Curriculum”). The Teacher Training resource provides an educator-friendly understanding of mental disorders and how to identify mental health problems in young people. Vist the website at
Mental Health Training For Teachers
When Something's Wrong Strategies For Teachers - The 1-day professional development workshop is designed to provide educators with evidence-based information about adolescent depression and youth suicide. The goal is to teach educators how to effectively identify, evaluate, and provide appropriate interventions for depressed and/or suicidal youth. To learn more visit the
website.
Mount Saint Vincent University Summer Institute - offers courses on wellness, diversity and teaching strategies through their summer institutes program. Visit the
MSVU site.
STAFF WELLNESSMental Health Week CMHA's Mental Health Week is an annual national event that takes place during the first week in May to encourage people from all walks of life to learn, talk, reflect and engage with others on all issues relating to mental health. Read more at CMHA.
Heart&Stroke Walkabout is an initiative of the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Nova Scotia, Nova Scotia Department of Health Promotion and Protection, and the Ecology Action Centre. Our vision is a revitalized culture of walking in Nova Scotia. We aim to motivate Nova Scotians to discover the magic of walking and encourage them to consider both the physical and mental benefits of walking within their communities. It's about changing the way we think about walking - putting feet back on the streets and walking back in the hearts and minds of Nova Scotians. To become a leader in your workplace visit Heart&Stroke Walkabout.
School-based Lunch Time Wellness Sessions - within your school plan stress busters, healthy eating or outings: Geocaching, walking clubs. For assistance visit Building a Workplace Wellness Program
It's hard sometimes to take a step back and evaluate just what's going on in your life. Sometimes it's hard even to know what the right questions are to ask. The Self-Assessment exercises on this page can help you out. Each will ask you a series of questions about your life. We don't save your answers anywhere, and they are completely anonymous - we promise. The Self-Assessment exercises are for you at Our Healthy Minds.
HEALTH PROMOTING SCHOOL COMPONENT: PARTNERSHIPS
Our Healthy School is a Health Promoting School initiative involving these partners: the Halifax Regional School Board, Capital Health (including Public Health Services, Community Health Boards, and Addiction Prevention and Treatment Services), the Nova Scotia Department of Health Promotion and Protection, the Canadian Mental Health Association Nova Scotia Division, and Clean Nova Scotia. The goal of Our Healthy School is to have all students within the Halifax Regional School Board belong to school communities that promote good health and constantly strengthen their capacity as a healthy setting for living, learning and working. To read more, visit Our Healthy School partners webpage.
Teen Mental Health – Our youth spend more time in school than they do anywhere else except their own home. School is one of the best places for both educators and students to become increasingly aware of mental health, mental health problems and mental disorders. We have a number of school mental health initiatives in development, and are constantly looking for teachers, schools, and school boards to pilot, test and help us develop more depth and breadth to our programs. We are also able to provide educators with a repository of evidence-based programs, and materials that can aid in helping to develop and deliver interventions that can improve youth mental health effectively and efficiently. To learn more visit teen mental health.org
Canadian Association for School Health - Members of the Canadian School Mental Health Community of Practice developed a toolbox of research, reports and resources for promoting mental health through school-based and school-linked approaches, programs and strategies. The toolbox used a comprehensive framework or outline has been used to list research, reports and resources to address health, social and other issues in a comprehensive, coordinated and whole school manner. Visit School Mental Health Toolbox
Canadian Mental Health Association: Communities Addressing Suicide Together CAST Tool Kit to assist communities become suicide safer - Preventing suicide is about more than prevention - it also includes intervention & post-vention. This means a focus on the things that happen before, during and after a period of suicidal crisis – to help both the suicidal person and their family &/or friends, as well as the community at large. The initiative will work to connect individuals and organizations that have a role to play in the local community to prevent suicide, and work with them to plan for, and work toward preventing suicide in their community. The initiative will provide provincial leadership and coordination that will support both new & existing local suicide prevention coalitions. Angela Davis, Program Coordinator - 1 (877) 466-6606 OR email Angela.
Capital Health Community Health Boards - The Boards consult with community residents, groups and organizations (including schools) to determine the priority health issues affecting people of all ages in each community. Together with other groups, the Boards support many different community activities and school initiatives that aim to improve health. For more information about Community Health Board Grants, please visit Capital Health.
YooMagazine - Health literacy is the key to making good health choices. Whether you are a young person, parent or teacher, access to current and accurate health information is the first step in making good decisions about your health and a key determinant in asking for help for health difficulties and problems. All of YooMagazine's materials and programs are oriented around a central theme and format, namely to ask questions and get answers, in order increase the ease with which information is accessed and understood. Each month, there is a focus on a key health issue through a series of novel and interactive materials, presented in the form of an online magazine called YooMagazine. There are interactive quizzes, on-line articles, info sheets and breaking news, in every issue, as well as our most recent and archived anonymous Q&As. The YooMagazine Health Literacy Program is administered jointly through the Provincial Centre of Excellence for Child and Youth Mental Health at the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario located in Ottawa, Canada, and through Maritime Psychiatry at the IWK Health Centre, in Halifax, Canada.
HEALTH PROMOTING SCHOOL COMPONENT: POLICIES
(that support a healthy school environment)
Through the Food and Nutrition Policy for Nova Scotia Public Schools, HRSB supports the promotion of healthy food choices and initiatives which contribute to a greater sense of well-being in our school communities. Nutrition and healthy eating are a piece of the puzzle when it comes to self esteem and a healthy body image. To learn more, visit “Healthy Eating” webpage
According to “An Analysis of Policy, Planning And Support Documents Related To Health Promoting Schools” by the Australian Health Promoting Schools Association: Policy is not necessarily the logical starting point for schools and the motivation for action whether in terms of policy or of any type, may lie in funding. The idea of health promoting school grants: on one hand, grants strategies have been severely criticized as undermining sustainability and for their generally destabilizing effect (due to difficulties in maintaining continuity of staff and activities over time). However, examples of grants strategies which did emerge showed evidence of creating sustainable partnerships, providing valuable start up funds to overcome recognized barriers such as teacher turnover, raising the profile of health promoting schools, and educating about the concept through the competitive criteria of the grants. To learn more visit, the Australian Health Promoting Schools Association.
When children feel worthy and secure, when they feel welcome and supported by others and when they are able to cope with life’s problems and their emotions – mentally well - they are
- better able to succeed
- feel confident, competent and connected to others
- learn effective problem-solving and coping skills
- have a sense of hope and see challenges as opportunities read more at School File
Schools in Nova Scotia are working hard to make school health an important part of everyday life because every kid counts. Nova Scotia Health Promoting Schools is a partnership led by the Department of Education and the Department of Health Promotion and Protection, and comprises of Nova Scotia’s eight school boards, the Mi’kmaw Kina’matnewey, the province’s district health authorities, and community members. To learn more visit the provincial HPS website .
Joint Statement on School Mental Health - The prevalence and urgency of mental health problems among Canadian children and youth has prompted several national organizations to develop this consensus statement on the role that schools, working in cooperation with young people, parents, other agencies, communities and government ministries and departments, can play in promoting mental health. To read more visit the
JSSMH
Advances in School Mental Health Promotion - a new academic journal relevant to all those with an interest in school mental health promotion. visit
online.
The
Canadian School Health Community: Part of the Canadian School Health Knowledge Network - Bringing practitioners, researchers, officials, administrators and policy-makers together to promote health, safety and social development through schools. To learn more visit the
Canadian School Health Community.
The
Canadian Association for School Health (CASH) is a national association composed of provincial/territorial coalitions whose members promote the health of children and youth through school-related health promotion (Comprehensive School Health). The association, through its volunteers and part-time staff, develops and implements projects, activities and services that promote a Comprehensive School Health approach. This approach helps community agencies, parents, educators, health professionals, youth and others to work together using the school as a strategic setting within the community. To learn more visit,
CASH
The Health Promotion Clearinghouse (HPC), is an online resource to find out more about what's happening in health promotion in Nova Scotia. The HPC works with organizations and communities toward enabling people to take control over their health and over the conditions that affect it. Please explore the site for information on resources, events and initiatives on many health promotion topics at
HPC.
Equity Matters is designed to provide resources and supports for educators supporting children with mental health needs. To learn more visit
Mental Health in Schools
In an effort to ensure our Child and Youth Mental Health framework reaches as many people in Canada as possible we're hoping that you'll be a mental health champion and pass this information on to your contacts.
WHAT IS EVERGREEN? Evergreen is a blueprint that outlines strategies and actions to improve mental health care, promote mental health and maximize the potential of every infant, child and youth living in Canada. It is a project of the Child and Youth Advisory Council of the
Mental Health Commission of Canada. For Evergreen to be truly innovative and successful we need YOUR input. Share your ideas with us online through the invitation below! Click
here to take the survey
