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Province introduces mental health strategy for schoolchildren – Metro US

Province introduces mental health strategy for schoolchildren

A new mental health curriculum for schoolchildren starting in early elementary was unveiled yesterday.

It’s part of a growing trend of increased attention to mental health issues aimed at fixing problems early in life.

“When young people receive the care that they need very early on they do quite well,” said IWK Health Centre mental health expert Dr. Stanley Kutcher.

But Kutcher said only one in five children who need mental health support are currently getting it.

The school program varies by age group and discusses issues from autism and ADHD to bullying and anxiety.

For younger children, much of the focus is discussing mental health and their own feelings, and teaching them what’s healthy and when warning signs come up.

“In daily life they face situations that maybe the average kid faces and maybe they don’t. But this way they have tools,” said Portland Estates Elementary School teacher Mamoona Brace.

Education Minister Marilyn More went to Portland Estates yesterday to see some of the exercises first hand.

Afterwards she talked about the need for more mental health services in the province. There have been positive steps in recent years, such as increased awareness and the introduction of a mental health court.

But just last week, mental health advocates staged an event calling for more funding and a comprehensive strategy.

“We have to put more resources into mental health services,” agreed More. “It’s going to be a struggle because of the economic times that we’re living in. But for the health of Nova Scotian families we have to ensure that the necessary supports are there.”

She said increased awareness in school could help head off problems down the road. She also said one exercise where students sit in a circle and must compliment the person next to them could do wonders at Province House.