Toronto schools will get mental health training

The countrys biggest school board has promised training to all teaching staff in relation to mental-health issues as part of a new strategy to help students.

These new initiatives created to help students facing mental health issues and foster "mental well-being" were unveiled today by the Toronto District School Board.

According to the board, "one in five children experience mental well-being issues. This statistic translates into approximately 40,000 students in the TDSB."

In order to deal with this, the board has created a new four-year strategy called Healthy Schools. Healthy Relationships. Children and Youth Mental Health and Well-Being.

• All school staff will receive professional development and training on mental health issues.
• All schools in the district will have mental-health well-being teams consisting of teachers, students and community members in order to foster support.
• By June 2014, there will be a 50 per cent increase in the number of secondary schools engaged in anti-stigma initiatives.
• More support will be given to students and teachers
• There will be an ongoing and enhanced form of communication between parents/guardians and the school.

"[T]here's a direct link between the availability of social, emotional, psychological and physical supports and student achievement," the TDSB website reads. "In a world where we cannot keep our students immune from all sorts of challenges, making sure we pay attention when they are struggling is a must for educators."