Page 10 - Professional Advisory: Supporting Students' Mental Health

Report
Ask yourself:
1. Have I informed my students about the school’s confidentiality policies and my duty to report?
2. Do I know who to report to and what to report?
3. Do I know who to report to in an emergency (threats of violence or suicide)?
4. Do I collaborate with parents, medical professionals and other community members as needed?
5. Do I keep my communication with parents and students professional, culturally appropriate and open?
In conclusion
The daily actions of teachers and their positive relationships with their students actively promote the mental health of students.29 It’s important that OCTs role model for others by maintaining their own wellness.
Your personal knowledge is valuable, but never as powerful as when it’s combined with the knowledge of your professional peers. Your commitment to learning about and addressing mental health issues is the best way to support students.
Apply your professional judgment. If you are unsure whether an action is appropriate and you have a concern, report to your supervisor.
Consider consulting the following agencies for additional information:
Aboriginal Health Access Centres
allianceon.org/aboriginal-health- access-centres
Centre for Addiction and Mental Health [CAMH]
camh.ca
Children’s Mental Health Ontario [CMHO]
cmho.org
Canadian Mental Health Association [CMHA]
cmha.ca
Ontario Mental Health Association [CMHA- Ontario]
ontario.cmha.ca
Mental Health Commission of Canada
mentalhealthcommission.ca/English
Sick Kids’ Hospital, Centre for Brain and Mental Health sickkids.ca/Brain-Mental-Health/index.html
Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario [CHEO]
cheo.on.ca/en/cheomentalhealth
School Mental Health – ASSIST
smh-assist.ca
EdCan Network
edcan.ca
EDU
edu.gov.on.ca/eng/parents/mentalhealth.html
Teenmentalhealth.org
teenmentalhealth.org/
29 The ABCs of Mental Health. “Mental Health for All Children and Youth”
sickkidscmh.ca/ABC/Teacher-Resource/Mental-Health-for-All-Children-and-Youth.aspx
8 PROFESSIONAL ADVISORY: SUPPORTING STUDENTS‘ MENTAL HEALTH