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Fostering Student Resilience and Good Mental Health
DPAC Meeting, January 8, 2014
Maureen Lee, M.Ed., M.C., R.C.C.District Administrator
What is Good Mental Health?“Good mental health is much more than the absence of mental illness – it enables people to experience life as meaningful and to be creative, productive members of society.” (Ministry of Health Services & MCFD, 2010)
Management Competencies, September 30, 2013
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Good Mental Health is Not a Given
• Approximately 1 in 5 children and youth in BC will develop a mental health disorder
• About half of all children whose parents have concerns about their mental health have a diagnosable mental health problem
What do we mean by resilience?
How Do We Become Resilient?
What Do Schools Do to Help Foster Resilience?
LOTS!
Resilience from K to 12 includes:•Child Abuse Prevention Education •Social Emotional Learning •Self-Regulation •Substance Use/Misuse Education•Community partnerships with Child and
Youth Mental Health, Public Health, Ambleside Youth Centre, West Vancouver Police Department
What If It’s not Enough?
Prevalence of Mental Disorders in Children and Youth (Waddell & Shepherd, 2002)
Children (age 4-17) diagnosed with specific mental health disorders
Anxiety 6.4% Estimated # in BC 60,900Conduct Disorders 4.2% 30.900ADHD 4.8% 30,900Depression 3.5% 19,700Substance Abuse 0.8% 7,500PDD 0.3% 2,800OCD 0.2% 1,900Tourettes 0.1% 900Eating Disorders 0.1% 900Schizophrenia 0.1% 900Bipolar <0.1% <900
Management Competencies, September 30, 2013
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But could it be something else?
ABSOLUTELY, YES!
The most common mental health issues are usually around:
• Moods• Behaviour• Thought
Mood• Anxiety (GAD, Phobias,
Panic Disorders, OCD,PTSD)
• Depression (Dysthymia, Major Depressive Disorder, Cyclothymia, Bipolar Disorder)
Behaviour• ADHD• Conduct Disorders
(Violence, Crime)• Substance misuse• Addictions
(substances, gambling, gaming, etc.)
• Self-harm• Eating Disorders
Thought• Psychosis• schizophrenia
How do I know if this is typical or a more serious problem?• Engage the youth• Listen• Talk• Empathize• Take note of changes
What if I think it is a problem?• Consult with your family
doctor• CYMH intake line 604-
904-4336 or walk-in (Tues/Wed) #301-221 W. Esplanade, N. Van
• Integrated Family and Youth Intake 604-987-1411
What if my child refuses help or to believe that there is a problem in the first place?
Where can I get more information?• Resources on Mental Health
www.keltymentalhealth.cawww.cmha.bc.ca
• Support network for familieswww.forcesociety.com
• Resources on Anxiety:www.anxietybc.comwww.anxietycanada.ca
• Resources on Psychosiswww.psychosissucks.ca
• Resources on support for Mood Disorders
www.mdabc.netwww.mooddisorderscanada.ca
• Resource on Addictions and Mental Health
www.heretohelp.bc.ca
A Specific Example: Self-Harm• Intentional Self-Injury that includes:• Cutting, •Burning, •Scratching, •Hitting, •Biting, •Falling
But does not equate to suicidal behaviour and is not in itself a mental health disorder.
Why Do Some Youth Self-Harm?•to deal with unwanted feelings •to cope with grief, loss, violence or
chronic illness •to punish themselves •to express intense feelings•To turn emotional pain into physical•to feel “anything”•to feel in control •to just feel better
How Common is it?
2008 McCreary ( North Shore/Coast/Garabaldi) : •9% of youth had self-harmed 1-2 times•5% of youth had self-harmed 3 or more
times
•May be becoming more prevalent due to the influence of social media
•May indicate a mental health disorder
What are the signs?
•often have wounds like cuts, burns or bruises that they can’t explain
•many scars that they can’t explain •say that they have many accidents •cover their body, even during warm
weather
What can you do?•Talk to your child•Ask questions (other symptoms?)•First Aid or emergency for wounds•Encourage healthier coping strategies•Encourage him/her to seek professional
help•Learn about self-harm•Seek professional help for yourself
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What questions do we still have?
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Good Mental Health is not just for kids…
•Read and ask for help
•Don’t own what you cannot be responsible for
•Be kind to yourself•Practice Self-Care•Be an optimist
Thank you for your time!
Maureen LeeDistrict Administrator Student Support
604-981-1095