May 3-9, 2021 is CMHA #MentalHealthWeek across Canada, and students in the Peace Region have many supports available, even through their own school.
Project Peace is a mental health initiative funded through Alberta Health Services; providing learning programs. The programs are implemented in Peace River School Division and Holy Family Catholic Regional Division schools.
Project Peace Manager, Cynthia Scratch says their main focus is on K-12 students mental health, especially during these unprecedented times. “We aren’t only seeing mental health deteriorating in children, but also in school staff… families are struggling.” Scratch says it’s important to help at the school level, to assist kids that are struggling, depressed by isolation, feeling less connection with others and more.
Project Peace doesn’t only help students, but with families too. Scratch says Project Peace started back in 2006, and wants people in the community to know about how they can help our areas children and families. “They are certain people that deal with mental health directly in the school and can connect to outside resources should they need a higher level of intervention.” Scratch says it’s a ripple effect in homes when children learn how to cope and act with their mental health, and can be passed onto siblings and guardians.
Every PRSD school has either a Youth Education Support Worker, Success Coach or Family Liaison Worker for support. Parents and students can learn of all available options with seeking help for mental health struggles by contacting their school and connecting with a support worker within.
-Erika Rolling, Trending 55 Newsroom
