By Kathy Gallant

Local schools learn about mental health

Jan 18, 2018 | 1:00 PM

A newly created presentation from Meadow Lake’s Positively Parenting is encouraging discussion around mental health awareness at local schools.

Local school staff recently approached Thyra Berg, the program manager with Positively Parenting, to see if she could prepare a mental health presentation. Positively Parenting already offers workshops, classes and resources to parents and families in the community, on topics including anger management and playgroups.

Berg developed the seminar since October. To research how to present mental health concepts to students, she researched the topic, read peer-reviewed essays and mental health websites, and supplemented her seminar with information on local resources and services in the field. So far, she’s presented to Grades 7 to 9 at schools in Meadow Lake, Goodsoil and Pierceland.

The in-class presentation is delivered over the course of at least two sessions. While the discussion is health focused, the seminar leads into suicide awareness, includes some in-class assignments and a Jeopardy-style activity to review the concepts discussed.

“It’s addressing the stigma that sometimes is attached with mental health concerns,” Berg said. “We just want to open up the conversation, open up the door, and open up peoples’ acceptance and understanding of it. Part of my presentation also talks about where they can go, what they can do, and who they can reach out to.”

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She said kids typically face mental health issues as they grow into adolescence.

“Kids are faced with a lot more pressures now with social media and so much interconnectedness with devices,” Berg said. “We have to be proactive with that, and let them know that while it’s great to have that personal device, there’s some dangers that come with it as well.”

She also speaks about the links between physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health, and risk and protective factors the youth feel exist in their community.

“If one aspect of [a person’s] being is not doing well, then it affects all others,” she said. “Say they’re not eating well, that’s going to impact all areas, not just physical. All aspects are equal in value. We also have a good conversation about what their community looks like and how it impacts them.”

Rita Sonntag, the wellness coordinator at Goodsoil Central School and Pierceland School, said she enjoys the interactive and hands-on approach Berg’s presentation takes with serious subject matter.

“It was done in a good way for the students. All of them really took to the material,” she said. “Afterwards, I was able to reinforce to the kids about the stigma – if somebody needs to go talk to a counsellor, that’s great. It gave me an opportunity let the students’ know it is OK if they need to talk to someone.”

Sonntag said she appreciated the relatability of the presentations as well, as Berg tailored her presentation to make it local and personable.

“She has young teenagers herself, so she can really relate to it,” she said. “She throws in personal stuff and it really added to her presentation. We just need to talk about mental health so much more.”

kathy.gallant@jpbg.ca    

On Twitter @ReporterKath