World Mental Health Day on October 10, is recognized in Canada and around the world. This year, the theme is suicide prevention. According to the World Health Organization, close to 800 000 people take their own life and there are many more who attempt suicide. It is the second leading cause of death among 15 to 29 year olds.
Mental health and well-being and Leading Mentally Healthy Schools are embedded in the work of the Avon Maitland District School Board (AMDSB). When students are preoccupied with emotional concerns, they cannot be available for learning. Schools across the Board use a tiered approach to mental health and well-being based on positive mental health promotion, prevention, and intervention to help create a healthy future for our students.
Efforts to reduce incidences of suicide require coordination and collaboration among multiple sectors of society. In Huron Perth, we have a Huron Perth Suicide Prevention Committee made up of representatives from the School Boards, health units, and mental health and addiction organizations. The committee continues to work on developing a comprehensive plan for helping youth with mental health challenges and suicidal thoughts/behaviour. It includes positive mental health promotion, prevention and intervention. In AMDSB, mental health and well-being supports for students are provided by various community partners including Choices for Change, Huron County Health Unit, Perth District Health Unit, Huron Perth Centre for Children and Youth, Local Health Integration Network (Mental Health and Addiction Nurses), as well as members of our AMDSB Mental Health Team.
Superintendent of Education, Jodie Baker says: "Our efforts to provide student mental health supports are
collaborative. We are fortunate to have the support of our community partners to offer a variety of options at all levels of our tiered approach, from prevention to treatment."
If you or someone you know requires emergency mental health care, please contact:
Huron Perth Helpline and Crisis Response Team at 1-888-829-7484.
For more information
62 Chalk Street North
Seaforth Ontario
Canada N0K 1W0
www.amdsb.ca/
