A critical part of students' well-being is mental health. While educators in the Vancouver School District are always aware of the importance of students' mental well-being, they are particularly so with the extra challenges of life during a pandemic. Recognizing the need to prioritize safe and supportive learning environments, many educators throughout the District continue to take part in professional development specifically focusing on mental health and well-being.
Since the beginning of September, teachers and other District and school-based staff have heard from speakers on topics that include building compassionate communities in a new normal, trauma informed practice, and, care for self and others. Follow-up sessions are scheduled, and District staff will continue to develop plans for other professional development opportunities focused on mental health and well-being during the 2020-2021 school year.
"It is critical that students continue to feel supported, and that educators are equipped with the strategies and tools to do this," says Janis Myers, District principal for learning services.
The mental and emotional effects of the COVID-19 pandemic were top of mind for educators when students returned for part-time, in-class instruction in June.
With the expectation that students may experience a range of emotions, the District provided workshops and resources that included calming and wellness strategies. Ways to recognize students' feelings and signs of anxiety were included as well.
Learning how to best support students' mental health and well-being is ongoing, with direct training and resources in a number of areas. District staff reached out to students identified as vulnerable throughout the pandemic, and students have remained connected to virtual service from Child Youth Mental Health, a division of Vancouver Coastal Health which partners of the District.
Working together, the District and Child Youth Mental Health launched a Mental Wellness Initiative. The initiative includes training teachers and administrators on strategies to promote and maintain mental well-being, as well as dedicating mental wellness champions for each school to provide additional support.
A number of counsellors in the District will also receive training in evidence-informed prevention of anxiety, focused on children in elementary school.
Many adjustments also occurred operationally to ensure schools are safe during these uncertain times, but attention of staff on mental health remains an important focus. This will continue, so the 2020-2021 school year will be as fulfilling as possible for students in our new normal.
