There’s no question that the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the mental health of many children and young adults.
With the BC restart plan underway, support has been implemented to help make the transition easier.
In a media release earlier this week, the province announced Stigma-Free Society has been provided with $45,000 from the government to expand mental health research and support into schools across the province.
The funding will support two resources; a student mental health toolkit, and the virtual stigma–free school program.
“Our focus is on the social and emotional well-being of students as we return to a near-normal school year in September,” said Jennifer Whiteside, Minister of Education.
“We know the pandemic has impacted students in different ways. That’s why it is important to offer a variety of supports in schools, including the Stigma–Free toolkit and virtual program, which align with the Mental Health in Schools Strategy, allowing us to effectively connect with students.”
The toolkit is an online resource with evidence-based content developed to engage youth from grades 4to 7 and grades 8 to 12 — schools can request the free online toolkit.
It offers mental wellness lesson plans that follow BC curriculum guidelines while using engaging elements like comic books, illustrated animations, and a section devoted to diverse-ability and inclusion.
“The pandemic has been hard on the mental health of many children, youth and their families,” said Sheila Malcolmson, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions.
“I am grateful to partner with Stigma–Free Society to expand the reach of mental health supports for young people at this critical time.”
About 55,000 students and teachers have participated in a Stigma–Free Program presentation and now have access to ongoing supports online.
The Stigma–Free Society has set a goal to expand its reach to an additional 10,000 students in BC over the next 18 months with a focus on rural and remote communities.
“Youth are often ill-equipped to face mental health challenges and the stigma or discrimination that is associated with conditions such as anxiety, depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and autism spectrum disorder,” said Andrea Paquette, president, Stigma–Free Society.
“In this time of intersecting societal crises, we are seeing great need around student mental health, and a unique opportunity to invest in mental health supports for children, youth and teachers in communities across British Columbia through digital outreach.”
