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

Servicesmlee@sd45.bc.ca

604-981-1095