Sask. government extends mental health initiative into more schools

The Saskatchewan government is building on the Mental Health Capacity Building initiative.

The provincial government has put another $800,000 into the initiative for the 2022-23 school year, hiking the annual funding to $2 million.

Five schools are being added to the program this year, bringing the total to 10. The latest schools are Churchill Community High School in La Ronge, Prince Albert Collegiate Institute and St. John Community School in Prince Albert, Weyburn Comprehensive High School, and Dr. Brass School in Yorkton.

The pilot schools for the initiative were Dr. Martin LeBoldus Catholic High School in Regina, Hector Thiboutot School in Sandy Bay, North Battleford Comprehensive High School and John Paul II Collegiate in North Battleford, and Greenall High School in Balgonie.

According to the government, the program promotes “positive mental health in children, youth, families and people in the community who interact with children by focusing on prevention and mental health promotion, early identification and intervention.”

It also increases awareness of where children can find help if they need it.

“We are very pleased with the success of the pilot and want to provide further support by expanding the program to five more schools across the province,” Seniors, and Rural and Remote Minister Everett Hindley said in a media release.

“We have heard how impactful this program has been on the mental health of children and youth, and we want to see this grow across Saskatchewan.”

The Mental Health Capacity Building program initially was recommended by the Saskatchewan Advocate for Children and Youth. It’s led by the Saskatchewan Health Authority with support from the ministries of Health and Education.

School divisions use funding they receive from the health authority to hire specialized staff to work in the schools and deliver mental health programming to students and their families.