The Kenora Catholic District School Board consistently places Mental Health and Well-Being at the forefront of its key priorities, establishing itself as one of the select boards in the Province of Ontario with at least one dedicated mental health worker assigned to each school. This strategic investment empowers the board to deliver high-quality, evidence-informed, and culturally responsive mental health promotion, prevention, and early intervention support to every student.
During the 2022 - 2023 School Year, the Kenora Catholic District School Board proudly stood among the five provincial boards identified as early adopters in the PreVenture Program. Tailored to equip students with coping skills and long-term goal-setting abilities, PreVenture ensures students thrive across all facets of their lives. The program has been successfully implemented for two consecutive years, benefiting all grade 8 students at St. John School and St. Thomas Aquinas High School.
The commitment extends to the full implementation of the Kids in the Know Program. This classroom-based initiative engages students with interactive activities, building skills to enhance personal safety and mitigate the risk of victimization, both online and offline. To reach 90% of elementary classrooms, the Kenora Catholic District School Board is actively involved in Kids in the Know training videos.
Embedded in the three-year mental health strategy is a commitment to family and student-centered care, shaping the core of school-based mental health initiatives. Guided by the invaluable voices of families and students, the programming is meticulously crafted to provide timely and effective support. Now in its second year, the highly successful Book Club for caregivers offers seven evening sessions throughout the school year, fostering a sense of community and laughter. The sessions operate under the premise that caregivers are experts in their child's lives. This year's featured book is "I Still Love You" by Dr. Michael Ungar, eliciting positive feedback from participants who appreciate the shared experiences and support.
In a bid to further enhance student support, two new Student Mental Health Advisors have been welcomed, bringing the total to six at St. Thomas Aquinas High School. These advisors, including Hayden Price, Molly Hendy, Kaelyn Stasus, Addison Spak, Emery Williams, and Izzah Imran, play a pivotal role in guiding mental health promotion programming. Their creative initiatives focus on spreading kindness, increasing awareness of available mental health supports, and developing activities to alleviate student stress.
The Student Mental Health Advisors share powerful perspectives:
Izzah Imran emphasizes, "It's a human right to have mental health care. It's not a luxury. It shouldn't be any different from any other health condition. It is important to have one's voice heard and be recognized."
Hayden Price aptly states, "Mental health is like a conversation; if one voice is not heard, we will not solve the problem."
Kaelyn Stasus reinforces the idea that "The voice of students becomes the reality of the next generation. The minds of teachers and students build the ultimate school. Students who talk about mental health are encouraging students who keep it to themselves. If students can share, then schools can do. A student who feels heard has a better sense of belonging, trust, and openness to achieve their goals."
In essence, the Kenora Catholic District School Board is dedicated to fostering an inclusive and supportive environment, ensuring the well-being of every student remains a top priority.
