Sept 29, 2017, The News, New Glasgow, Nova Scotia: Teachers learn skills to help students suffering with mental health issues http://www.ngnews.ca/news/local/2017/9/29/teachers-learn-skills-to-help-students-suffering-with-mental-hea.html A group of 16 teachers at New Glasgow Academy were receiving training in mental health first aid training. The Mental Health First Aid Basic Training Program was developed to help people provide initial support to someone who may be experiencing a mental health problem or crisis. The course does not train participants to be therapists, counsellors or mental health professionals. The purpose is to help people such as teachers intervene and take action that could reduce harm resulting from a crisis. Funding for the initiative was provided in part by the Aberdeen Health Foundation Sandbar Mental Health Endowment, which provides support for mental health programs in Pictou County…. “The Aberdeen Health Foundation is pleased to see Sandbar funding directed to a frontline initiative in our community,” executive director Susan Malcolm said. ... New Glasgow Academy principal Allison Wilson said their goal is to have all staff including teachers, EAs, and even cafeteria staff go through the training. “We’re seeing students communing in young and younger with anxiety and needing some support in mental health,” Wilson said.
Childhood Lost
Children today are noticeably different from previous generations, and the proof is in the news coverage we see every day. This site shows you what’s happening in schools around the world. Children are increasingly disabled and chronically ill, and the education system has to accommodate them. Things we've long associated with autism, like sensory issues, repetitive behaviors, anxiety and lack of social skills, are now problems affecting mainstream students. Blame is predictably placed on bad parenting (otherwise known as trauma from home).
Addressing mental health needs is as important as academics for modern educators. This is an unrecognized disaster. The stories here are about children who can’t learn or behave like children have always been expected to. What childhood has become is a chilling portent for the future of mankind.