“Leadership demands vision to see the path before us, the courage to take it and the strength to follow it.” – Dr. Jeff Turnbull, Past President, Canadian Medical Assn.
Not just hope, not just words, but purposeful action.
Action Stations
Youth need to be provided with the tools and awareness to deal with issues as they arise.
Action stations for youth:
- An attachment figure – providing unconditional support and understanding
- Motivation – using tools such as reframing, teaching and acknowledging resiliency strategies.
- Advocacy – connecting with youth and assisting them to navigate the mental health system, for example; providing links to other supports as needed; facilitating transitions
- Diagnosis– asking key questions
- Prevention
- i. Universal intervention e.g. classroom presentations, speakers, stress management techniques, Wellness Resource Centre
- ii. Targeted intervention e.g. groups for students struggling with issues (anxiety), workshops for parents, asset building activities
- iii. Indicated interventions e.g. screening where a problem is suspected, referral
The main concern is to enhance the happiness and well being of young people by helping them to discover who they are and to find their individual talent. Students need to learn the skills to navigate their world in a way that heightens well being and reduces the risk of danger.
Key questions to ask are:
- Who are you?
- What do you want to do?
- Are you happy?
- Do you have friends?
- Do you like coming to school?
The holistic approach offered by School Health Models goes beyond developing skill sets in math, science, English and reading. The aim is to create and maintain equality and to enhance and improve equity in any school community. The three Resources will embed a School Health Model into the school culture. Schools will reap the rewards of enhanced parent and community support, and students will benefit from a more efficient use of school and community resources.
“People are finally realizing that the brain is not disassociated from the body and that we have to look at the whole child together.” – Stanley Kutcher, Adolescent Mental Health expert.
Growing up should not be an illness.
There is work to be done.
This is a call to action!