Northern Lights Public Schools (NLPS) is hoping to take full advantage of funding available for mental health programs.
Recently, it was announced that the province, through Alberta Health, will be renewing their commitment to the Mental Health Capacity Building (MHCB) in Schools Initiative.
“They’re continuing to support the Mental Health Capacity Building projects, and expanding them to other school divisions,” NLPS board chair Arlene Hrynyk said during the May 16 trustees meeting. “Northern Lights has had a project for a number of years, which has been very successful for kids in the division. There’s a number of facets under that program.”
The current MHCB project at NLPS, Successful Families – Successful Kids, has been operating since 2007 supported by the funding. It’s based around the belief that mental and emotional well-being can be developed, nurtured, and supported through promotion and prevention efforts.
Through the program, there are MHCB wellness coaches at six NLPS schools, as well as a project coordinator. The coaches focus on mental health prevention and promotion through programs such as relaxation groups, grief and loss groups, mindfulness sessions, parent information and support, and workshops on a variety of mental health topics.
Hrynyk noted that the division has been a leader when it comes to mental health programs.
“I’ve heard, over the past number of years, the Northern Lights project has been highlighted by people across the province.”
Across the province there are currently 37 projects in 85 communities, reaching a total of 256 schools.
While the exact parameters for the expansion funding haven’t been laid out yet, Alberta Health has committed an additional $5-million for the MHCB initiative. The additional investment will allow for the development of up to 15 new programs.
“Right now, it’s just a matter of working with our staff to gather ideas and input, which of course, will be dependent on what the parameters are,” explained associate superintendent Jimmi-Lou Irvine.
She added, “The good news for us is that their priorities are to serve rural and remote areas that currently have limited access to mental health programs for children and youth. We understand our jurisdiction to fit into those categories, so we’re hopeful that we will be able to have an opportunity to access some of these initiatives.”
The call for applications for funding will open in September, with any school jurisdiction in Alberta able to submit a proposal.
“It’s good to see this as one step towards addressing wellness and wholeness in our students. I think that this is a promising thing,” Hrynyk noted.
