A newsletter on Mental Health for Children, Youth and Families

Spring/Summer 2009Volume 3 #4

Message From Cathy Pryce Vice President Mental Health and Addiction Alberta Health Services ........................pg. 1

Connecting for Kids at annual Conference ................pg. 2

Making Family & Community Connections .....pg. 4

Resources ..............................pg. 5

Children’s Mental Health Three Year Action Plan Ready for Implementation ..............pg. 6

Healthy Schools – Healthy Communities ..........pg. 7

Welcome New Staff .............pg. 8

Content

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messages on mental health for children, youth and families. Improving the mental health of Alberta’s children and youth and preventing addiction is an important focus for us all.

The fundamental goals of the 23 actions outlined in the Children’s Mental Health Plan include:

• improvedaccesstothefullrangeof children’s mental health services across the province; • decreasedwaittimesforchildren’s mental health services; and • improvedaccessthrougheffective partnershipsbetweenhealthareas, schools and community agencies. This includes prevention, early intervention, treatments and supports that address the needs of children and youth.

The Mental Health Capacity Building initiative is one such innovative prevention and early intervention element designed to address these action goals – and it’s set tobedeliveredinourschoolswherekidsspend much of their time. These projects help children, youth and their families

…continued on page 2

In August 2008, Alberta Health and Wellness released the Children’s Mental Health Plan for Alberta: Three Year Action Plan (2008-2011). The Plan supports a coordinated and collaborative approach to optimizingthementalhealthandwell-beingof infants, children and youth up to 24 years of age.

The creation of Alberta Health Services, also in 2008, brings together 12 formerly separate health entities in the province, including nine geographically based health authorities, the Alberta Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission (AADAC), the Alberta Mental Health Board and the Alberta Cancer Board.

Thisprovidesuswithfurtheropportunitytocoordinate the delivery of health supports and services across the province. The integration of addiction and mental health services is one of many initiatives under-way–andIampleasedtobepartofadedicatedintegrationteamthatismakinggreatprogressmovingthisforward.

Iamalsopleasedtoconnectwithyouonbehalf of Alberta Health Services through thispublicationdesignedtodeliverkey

Message From Cathy PryceVice President Mental Health and Addiction Alberta Health Services

Cathy Pryce

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being of our children, youth and families. Together,wecanbuildhealthycommunities.

Cathy PryceVice President Mental Health and AddictionAlberta Health Services

The second annual Connecting for Kids conference held in Calgary, AB from February 12-13,2009wasaresoundingsuccess!Over 200 participants, capacity building project staff and community partners attendedtheconferencewhichincludedfeaturekeynotes,displaysandworkshops.Designed as an educational session to increaseliteracy/expertiseofstaffworking in the school-based mental health capacity buildingprojects,participantswalkedawaywithinvaluableknowledge.

In addition to the presentations, all participantshadopportunitiestonetworkandshareresources.Keynotespeakerswereimpressedwiththeprojectdisplaysand referred to some of the resources and materialstheysawintheirtalks.

“Thiswasoneofthebestconferences Ihaveeverattended!Thespeakerswerefantastic–extremelyknowledgeableintheir fields. They provided practical ideas andinformationtobringbacktoourschool projects,” summarized one conference participant.

Connecting for Kids at annual conference

Keith Pattison presented findings from the Healthy Communities-Healthy Youth initiative – a 10 year research project conducted by the Search Institute. It focuses on 40 developmental assets identified as the foundationuponwhichhealthydevelopmentofallyoungpeoplewilltakeplace.Thisuniversal strength-based approach has been adopted by several of the projects in their schools and communities.

Dr. Gordon Neufeld discussed the vital importanceofhealthyattachmentbetweenchildrenandadults.“Relationshipsarewhatmatter most and you can never be too attached” He described the rules of engagement: Collect before you Direct, BridgewhatcouldDivideandMatchmakewhereverpossibletocultivateconnectionswithchildrenandyoungadults.

Dr. Bryan Kolb presented his latest neurologicalresearchwhichdemonstrateshowthebrainchangesinresponsetofactors such as hormones, experience,

livewithanxiety,depression,attentiondeficit disorders, substance use disorders and other mental health problems. These capacitybuildingprojectswillhelpusbetter address these issues.

Ilookforwardtocontinuedsupportforthisinitiativetoimprovethehealthandwell

fosterresiliency:thecriticalcopingskillsneededtobouncebackfromsetbacksanddealwithadversity.

Researchshowshalfofalllifelongcasesof mental illness begin by age 14, and more than one million young Canadians

Message From Cathy PryceVice President Mental Health and Addiction Alberta Health Services …continued from page 1

drugsandinjurywhichinturnimpactsbehaviour. Brain development is prolonged (about 20 years) and is sensitive to pre and post natal events. For example, tactile stimulation, such as massaging a pregnant belly, can alter brain development resulting in alargerbrainwithmoreneuronconnections.Conversely, prenatal stress may result in a smaller brain, larger adrenal glands, cognitive impairments, abnormal social behaviour and altered orbital frontal cortex development.

…continued on page 3

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Dr. Jennifer JamesShifting Cultures: Working With Children & Youth in Times of Change

After an engaging presentation at last year’sconference,Dr.JenniferJameswasaskedtokickoffthe2009ConnectingforKidsconference–andshedidsowiththedynamism that participants have come to expect from her.

The central focus of her presentation wasseekingclarityinaworldthatiscontinuouslyevolvinglikeneverbefore.Howweadapttochangesinourenvironment is crucial, James explained, particularlywhenwearedealingwithchildrenandyouthwhohavelosttheirculturalframework–ultimately,theiridentity–inaworldthat’sbeen‘shakenup’.

“Weneedtoraisecitizensoftheworld,” she says.

Raising global, connected citizens means providingasafeenvironmentwherechildrenarefreetoexplore,learnandgrow.Childrenwhohaveastrongsenseofself,whoareengagedintheworldaroundthemandothers,andwhoareinterestedandchallengedwillevolve into healthy, confident adults.

“Butfirstweneedtonoticethese children… really pay attention to them,” continues James.

Communication and civi l ity are fundamentalprincipleswecangiveourchildren to foster a strong sense of identity. Theywillthenhaveafeelingofbeingconnectedwithothers;afeelingof

community.Jamesbelieveskindness,collectivedecision-makingandempathyareteachabletraitsthatwillleadtochildrenand youth becoming global citizens.

“ It is increasingly difficult for us to teach self-esteemandrespect,whenchildren are experiencing a loss of identity – ornotsurewhethertheyhadoneto beginwith.”

Onlywhenwegivechildrenasenseofbelonging and help them to understand thevitalimportanceofcivility,willtheybeabletoappropriatelyreconstructtheirworldandestablishtheiridentity.AndthisiswhatJamesreferstoasbecoming‘honestbrokersofidentity’forourchildrenandyouth.Thisiswhattheprojectoutcomesof the mental health capacity building in schools initiative are continuing to achieve.

From Risk to Resilience - Children from Addicted FamiliesJerry Moe, MA

National Director of Children’s Programs, Betty Ford Centre

Jerry Moe brought tears to the audience as he shared his personal story of turbulence and triumph having been raised by alcoholic parents. He distinctly recalls hiding behind a heavy coat all year round – even in the middle of the summer – whichhefeltservedasaprotectiveshieldfromthedauntingworldaroundhim.Fromayoungage,hedidn’tdarelookothersintheeye,andremembersanoverwhelminganxietyattackwhenreturningfromthegrocery store and simply having to share

asidewalkwithothers.Heimmediatelydropped the bags of groceries and ran home in a panic. To this troubled youth, thiswasaseeminglybetteroptionthanfacingpeoplewalkingtowardshim.

Today, Moe is the National Director of Children’s Programs at the Betty Ford Centre, and gives countless presentations aroundtheworld.Thisisafarstretch from the anxious child years prior. Moe attributesthistooneadultwhomadeadifference. One teacher, someone Jerry willalwaysholddeartohisheart,gotdownonherkneessothathewouldhavetomakeeyecontactwithher.Shetoldhim flatly, “Your parents are addicts and it’s not your fault.”

…continued on page 4

ThatonesimpleactofLOVE,whichMoeexplains as Listen; Observe; Validate; Educate;andEmpower;canchangeachild’s life - and their future – forever. He

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Making Family & Community Connections

encouragesallprojectstaffworkinginthecapacity building projects to give strength tothechildrenandyouththeyworkwith.Tellthemstraightout,“It’sokaytobeconfused… angry… and sad.”

Moedescribeshismethodofdealingwithchildren and youth as successful adaptationdespiterisk.Thatis,drawingupon their strengths and supports, and offeringthemtheskillstohelppreventthem from derailing their lives.

“Everyat-riskchildisachildofpromise,” he says.

Resilient people, Moe explains, have developedskillsinthefollowingareas:socialskills;problem-solving;autonomy;senseofpurpose and future, and protective factors. Criticalskillswithinthesecoreareasinclude,but are not limited to, problem-solving, resourcefulness,criticalthinking,senseofhumour, internal locus of control and self-efficiency. Moe understands that these

typesofcriticalskillsandattributesarebeingdeveloped in children to raise healthy, resilientadultsthroughtheworkofthecapacity building projects.

“Isaluteyouandtheimportantwork you’re doing.”

Connecting for Kids at annual conference …continued from page 3

Thewords“school”,“family”and“community” are depicted on pieces of a puzzle in the logo for the Family Connections project operating out of three schools in Taber, Alberta.

“Our logo is three pieces of a puzzle and weliketothinkoftheprogramasthat:finding the right pieces that fit together to help support children and their families,” says Jodi McKay, project coordinator.

McKay,arealdynamowhogaveupaschooladministrativepositiontoworkinthiscapacity, has enjoyed employing innovative programsthatbuildresiliencyskillsinchildren, youth and their families. Resiliency, theabilitytobouncebackfromsetbacks,isa crucial coping mechanism that has helped her students stay in school and succeed.

Tohelpinstillresiliencyskillsinthestudentssheworkswith,McKayandtheConnectionsprojectstaffpartneredwiththelocalAlberta

Health Services-Addiction and Mental Health (formerly AADAC) office to create a resiliency postcard campaign for all Grade 5 students inthetownofTaber.

“After a 50 minute interactive lesson on whatresiliencyis,eachstudentidentifiedoneadultrolemodelwhohasmadeadifference in their lives,” explains McKay. “Thentheywroteapostcardtothatperson,thankingthemformakingsuchapositiveimpact.”All185postcardswerethen sent out to the adult role models the studentsidentified.ThecampaignwrapsupinMay,witharesiliencycelebrationwheresomeofthepostcardswillbereadby students to their role models.

FRIENDS for Life, an evidence-based program that has been endorsed by the World Health Organization as an effective program for the prevention and treatment of anxiety and depression in children, is also offered through Family Connections.

“Theprogramhelpsstudentsdealwithfeelingsoffear,worryandanxiety,whileteachingcognitiveandemotionalskillsin asimple,well-structuredformat,”saysMcKaywhotookthecoursetrainingalongwithherprojectstaff.

If left untreated, childhood anxiety may develop over the years into a chronic adult anxiety disorders, or - in some cases - clinical depression that may lead to suicidal thoughts or suicide. To help students identifyandcopewithfeelingsofworry,stress and change, students produced a recipebookof‘feelings’thatwaspublishedand distributed throughout school libraries.

“Itwasreallyinterestingtoseehowthechildren expressed themselves,” says McKay. “The course content from FRIENDSforLifehasbeenawonderfuland helpful resource for us.”

DevelopmentalAssetsisanothernewarea of focus for McKay and the Family Connections project. Based on research by the Search Institute, an independent, nonprofit organization committed to promoting healthy children and families, Developmental Assets represent the relationships, opportunities, and personal qualitiesthatyoungpeopleneedtomakepositivechoices,avoidhigh-riskbehaviors, and thrive.

Centeredaroundeightkeyassettopics–support,empowerment,boundariesandexpectations, positive values, social competencies and positive identity – the SearchInstitutedefineswhatparents,young people, neighbourhoods, schools,

youth programs and interested adults can doinapracticalwaytoensurechildrenandyouth acquire as many assets as possible.

With the 40 Developmental Assets and theeightkeyfactorsofOptimalMentalHealth as the guiding principles for the project, many activities and events have evolved. They include Souper Thursdays, Family Gym Nights, Girls Group, Healthy Snacks,CookUpaStory,ParentingNOWworkshops,LunchtimeLearningactivities,classroom and professional development presentations and so much more.

Family Connections not only focuses onat-riskstudentsandfamilies,butallstudentsandfamilies.Theproject,likeallother pilot projects, is developed based upon the unique needs of the children, families and communities it serves. One suchexampleisthelow-GermanspeakingMennonite community at Chamberlain School. Over 80 per cent of the school

populationislow-Germanspeaking.AsthisgrouptendstomovebetweenMexicoandCanada, it can bring many challenges for the children and families.

The project provides assistance to the familiesinmanyways,suchastranslating,setting up appointments, enrolling their children in school and connecting them withservicesinTaberthatsupporttheirtransition to Canadian life.

“Thisisnotacookiecutterapproachtomental health promotion and prevention,” says McKay. “Building relationships and takingthetimetoestablishrapportisthekey.Ourstrongcommunitypartnershavemade our success possible.”

Andforawomanwhodoesn’tfitthecookie-cuttermold,McKayfindsherroleas project coordinator for this project just whereshewantstobeinlife.

ResourcesLouv, Richard (2005, 2008) Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder.AlgonquinBooksof Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina

Moe, Jerry (1989) Discovery: Finding the Buried Treasure. STEM Publications

Moe, Jerry (2007) Understanding Addiction & Recovery Through a Child’s Eyes: Hope, Help & Healing for Families. HCI

Moe, Jerry and Pohlman, Don (1989) Kids’Power:Healing Games for Children of Alcoholics.Imaginworks.

Moe, Jerry and Zeigler, Ross. The Children’s Place . . . At the Heart of Recovery.QuinnEssentialsBooks& Printing.

Neufeld, Gordon and Mate, Gabor (2004, 2005) Hold On to Your Kids: Why Parents Need to Matter More Than Their Peers. Vintage Canada

www.cnaturenet.org

www.jenniferjames.org

www.search-institute.org

* The inclusion of a resource on this list is not a recommendation or an endorsement of the resource by the Alberta Health Services, and the Alberta Health Services is not responsible for and disclaims all warrantiesandconditionswithrespecttoany information available from any of the resources listed. Also, remember that the information available from theresourceslistedisnotasubstitutefortheskilland judgment of a health care professional providing care directly to your child. He or she is the best source of information about your child’s health and concerns.

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Children’s Mental Health Three Year Action Plan Ready for Implementation

In August 2008, Alberta Health and Wellness released the Children’s Mental Health Plan for Alberta: Three Year Action Plan (2008-2011).

ThisplanalignswiththeAlbertaHealthandWellness Health Action Plan by addressing theneedsofchildrenandyouthatriskthereby contributing to healthy and safe communities, and providing direction and funding for strategies to improve access to mental health services for infants, children, youth and their families.

The three-year action plan supports a coordinated and collaborative approach to optimizingthementalhealthandwell-beingof infants, children and youth up to 24 years of age, and their families. It builds on successful strategies (e.g., Mental Health Innovation Fund projects; Mental Health Capacity Building in Schools projects) and promotesnewinitiativesthatenhancecollaborativeapproachesbetweenhealthservices, schools and communities all acrosstheprovince(ruralandurban),whileaddressing the diverse and complex needs of Aboriginal and immigrant/refugee children and youth.

Children’s Mental Health Plan Goals

Therearetwoover-archinggoalsthatcontain the specific 23 action items outlined in the Children’s Mental Health Plan:

Goal 1: ACCESSImprove equitable access to the full range of children’s mental health services across the province and decrease children’s mental health wait-times for services. This will be achieved by building local capacity and implementing innovative strategies that serve infants, children, youth and their families in their own communities where they live, learn and play.Onewaythataccesswillbeimprovedisthroughprovidingmoreresources.Therewillbemorecapacitytoassistthosewhoareinneed of various services. From crisis servicestosupportingatriskfamiliesintheirhome,morehelpwillbeavailable.Insomecases this may be achieved through hiring additional therapists, in other cases video-technology may be expanded to provide improved access to rural and remote areas oftheprovince.Anotherwaytoimproveaccessisbychangingwheretheservicesare offered. Some examples include providing increased support to family physicians, so that the many children seen byfamilydoctorswillhaveeasieraccesstomental health therapists. Increasing the number of mental health staff able to assist childrenwithintheschoolsettingisyetanotherwaytoimproveaccess.

Goal 2: CHILDREN AND YOUTH AT RISK Improve access to effective and innovative services across the mental health continuum through innovative partnerships between health areas, schools and community agencies. This includes prevention, early intervention, treatment and supports that address the needs of children and youth at risk, including the needs of Aboriginal and immigrant/refugee children and youth. Partnerships are crucial to advancing children’s mental health. Numerous strategieswillincludeaverycloseworkingrelationshipwithareasthatarenottypicalmental health providers. Schools are one example, as are child and family services. Even other health providers such as public health nurses are identified as being a crucial ingredient in some of the actions. Bylinkingwiththesestakeholdersandsupplying mental health expertise, children willhavetheirmentalhealthneedsmetinveryinnovativeways.Aportionoftheactions include a training component. This willexpandtheskillsofexistingstaffsothey can provide more comprehensive servicestokids.

Creation of the Detailed Action Plan

Alberta Health Services assigned the implementation of the Action Plan to Addiction and Mental Health. The detailed actionplanwasdevelopedbytheprovincialChildren’sMentalHealthWorkingGroup(CMHWG)whichismadeupofvariousleads for children’s mental health services

…continued on page 7

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Project staff from the Jasper Place STAR Program and The Way In projects presented to a captivated audience at the Alberta Coalition for Healthy School Communities conference in March.

Conferenceparticipantswerevisiblyimpressed by the successful outcomes oftheprojects,andaskedthequestion,“HowdoIimplementsomethinglikethisat my school?”

Successful outcomes include: increase in student attendance; decrease in behavioural extremes; students and families reporting greater access to services; successful completionofcourseworkandgraduationrequirements; a greater sense of self-esteem and‘belonging’;toserviceprovidersbeingable to provide early intervention measures withinaschoolsetting.

Mental Health Capacity Building projects such as STAR and The Way In promote mental and physical health in students through a variety of activities and supports. Theresearchshowsusthatmentalwellbeing is affected by a person’s nutrition andphysicalactivityandviceversa,withpeoples’ nutrition and physical activity beingaffectedbytheirmentalwellbeing.Themorethatwecanbridgethesethreeconceptsandlookatpositivesocialenvironments that include all three areas – nutrition,physicalactivityandmentalwellbeing,themoresuccessfulwewillbeatraisinghealthy,resilientchildren!

“These projects are a great example of whatcanbedoneinashortamountoftime to create positive, healthy school environments,” says Pamela Boyson, Health Promotion Coordinator, Alberta Health Services. “The Alberta Coalition

Healthy Schools – Healthy Communities

Children’s Mental Health Three Year Action Plan Ready for Implementation …continued from page 6

across the province. The expertise of this diverse group has informed all aspects of the detailed action plan enabling appropriate strategies to be devised and barriers to be overcome. A flexible plan hasbeendesignedinordertoallowthecomponents to be adjusted in response to changing circumstances. Accountability has been addressed at all stages of the plan’s development. Cross-ministry advice on the implementation of the strategies in the plan is also available through the Children’s Mental Health Plan Provincial Advisory Committee.

The creation of this plan represents the first opportunity for Alberta Health Services Addiction and Mental Health, through the provincialChildren’sMentalHealthWorkingGroup(CMHWG),totrulyworkasoneorganization across the province. The collaborativeprocesswasonethatincludedagreatdealoflearningaboutwhatiscurrently occurring in different areas of the province and developing an understanding of the unique needs of each geographic area. Rather than divide the grant money up intoseparateareas,theCMHWGworkedtogether to create a common understanding ofhowtobestmoveforward.Havingajointplanning process assists in maximizing the

effectivenessthatthesegrantdollarswillhave on improving children’s mental health. TheimplementationoftheplanwillfurtherdeveloptherelationshipsbetweenZonesand ensure equal access to services for all Albertans,regardlessofwheretheyliveinthe province.

Asthefinaltouchesareworkedintothedetailedimplementationplan,theworkinggroup is shifting its focus to recruitment strategies, evaluation and progress reporting.

for Healthy School Communities (ACHSC) werethrilledtopartnerandshowcasethese projects.”

ACHSC is a registered non-profit society representinganetworkofindividualsandorganizations committed to promoting and fostering healthy school communities through school health approaches.

For more information about the capacity building projects:

STAR ProgramNancy Metcalfe, Project Coordinator708-408-9000, ext. 3705

The Way In Dena Davis, Project Coordinator780-462-7954

Alberta Health ServicesEdmonton General Continuing Care Centre8th floor, “R” Wing11111 - Jasper AvenueEdmonton, Alberta T5K 0L4

For additional copies of this publication, contact:

Phone: 780.342.8800Fax: 780.342.8801www.albertahealthservices.ca

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Wewouldliketoextendawarmwelcometo SAMBoss-Bischoff,JanetKostekandSheryl Ferguson - part of the dynamic Mental Health Capacity Building in Schools project team.

“I’m really fortunate to be able to do such meaningfulwork,”saysSAM Boss-Bischoff, Education Manager, Alberta Education. “I’mpleasedtobeworkingwithanincredibleteamcommittedtomaking animpactonkids’lives.”

With more than 20 years as a special education teacher, school counsellor, chartered psychologist, and supervisor of student services, SAM’snewroleisa fitting one. She also held the position of project coordinator of the Peace River Mental Health Capacity Building project.

SAM fills the shoes of Colleen McClure whohasmovedontonewcareerchallenges.Colleenwasaninstrumentalpart of the project implementation team and willbemissedgreatlybyourorganization,partnersandschoolprojectstaff.Wewishherthebestofluckandsuccess.

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“In my previous life as a community health nurse,IhadtheprivilegeofworkingintheCityCentreEducationProjectwithsomeofthemostexceptionalkids,families,school staff and community partners,” says JanetKostek,Manager,Children’sMentalHealth, Mental Health and Addiction, Alberta Health Services. “It taught me that eventhoughcollaborationisn’teasy,whenitworks,theresultsaremagical.”

NowJanethastheopportunitytowitnessthat magic across this province through the Mental Health Capacity Building in Schools projects.

“WhenIlistentothekidsinschoolsortheir parents/guardians or any of the school staff or community partners, I am amazedattheworkbeingdonebyprojectstaff. Kids and their families are accessing the services they need for mental and physicalwellbeingandcapacityisbeingbuilt in schools and communities to support children, youth and families.”

Janet’s career as a community health nursewithafocusonhealthpromotion,disease prevention, early intervention and communitydevelopmentlendsitselfwellto her position as one of the provincial leads for the capacity building projects.

“Ithankmycolleagues,SAM,Lynn,SandraandSheryl,fortheirwisdomandsupport.ThisishowIamspendingmyretirement and I couldn’t be happier.”

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Welcome New Staff

WealsowelcomeSherylFerguson,administrative assistant for the projects.

“I’m very pleased to be aboard such a tightship,”saysSheryl.“IamreallytakenwiththisincentiveandadmireLynn,Janet, Sam and Sandra for their expertise and grace.”

Sheryl has numerous years experience withgovernmentinadminsupportrolesandformaltrainingfromGrantMcEwen’sLegal Assisting and the Library and Information Management Program.

“Ilookforwardtohelpingthisveryworthycausealonginmycapacity,andwishyouallgreatsuccesswithyourendeavoursasimplementation continues.”

Janet Kostek and SAm Boss-Bischoff