Region

Provincial

School year/Age

Kindergarten to Grade 12

Language level

French as a First Language
French immersion

School subject (primary)

Health and Life Skills

Teaching materials

Resources and posters online to download

Links with the curriculum

Several learning outcomes in Health and Life Skills, by level.

Description

Understanding and promoting positive mental health in schools is a shared responsibility of parents, educators and community partners. Physically and emotionally healthy students are more likely to be successful in school and in life.

We can make a difference through timely action.  By addressing this issue now, we will be better off in the long run. Schools and communities are the perfect environments to promote mental health. Building protective factors, such as self-esteem, emotional resilience, positive thinking, problem-solving and social skills, stress management skills and feelings of mastery. This will help balance negative factors in the lives of children and youth

To be most effective, promoting mental health can be part of a whole school approach, providing education to children, youth and their families, creating partnerships with community agencies, creating positive school environments and policies that support mental wellness

Mental health approaches and practices in schools can help to:

• Enhance academic achievement and school attendance
• Increase academic confidence and engagement in learning and in community life
• Decrease oppositional behaviour and reduction in high risk behaviours, for example tobacco use
• Increase involvement in community activities and citizenship
• Enhance respect and appreciation for diversity and individual differences
• Create welcoming, caring, respectful and safe learning environments