The Peace River School Division got a strong response to their Student Mental Health and Wellness Survey.
In the survey, students were asked to list the top five issues they are facing. Test anxiety, pressure to succeed, fear of disappointing family, keeping up with demands in life, body issues and feeling unattractive are the most common top five issues for students in grades 7-12.
Board Chair Darren Kuester says in a statement quote, “It certainly speaks to the importance our students, families and staff place on student mental health and wellness, and it provides us with robust data to impact positive change.”
77% of grades 7-12 students, 24% of parents and guardians, and 71% staff responded to the survey with over 1800 responses.
PRSD is working on developing strategies based on the survey data, with Kuester adding quote, “There is a lot we can do internally to address some of the issues shared by students and some of the issues that cannot be addressed internally are areas that the board can advocate to the government for support.”
The board of trustees directed management to set up meetings with elected officials to discuss the survey results and begin advocating that the government adequately fund the staffing and supports necessary to support student mental health and wellness.
– Kyle Moore, Trending 55 Newsroom
