Fostering Student Resilience and Good Mental Health DPAC Meeting, January 8, 2014 Maureen Lee, M.Ed., M.C., R.C.C. District Administrator

What is Good Mental Health? “Good mental health is much more than the absence of mental illness – it enables people to experience life as meaningful and to be creative, productive members of society.” (Ministry of Health Services & MCFD, 2010)

Good Mental Health is Not a Given Approximately 1 in 5 children and youth in BC will develop a mental health disorder About half of all children whose parents have concerns about their mental health have a diagnosable mental health problem Management Competencies, September 30,

What do we mean by resilience?

How Do We Become Resilient?

What Do Schools Do to Help Foster Resilience?

Resilience from K to 12 includes: Child Abuse Prevention Education Social Emotional Learning Self-Regulation Substance Use/Misuse Education Community partnerships with Child and Youth Mental Health, Public Health, Ambleside Youth Centre, West Vancouver Police Department

What If It’s not Enough?

Prevalence of Mental Disorders in Children and Youth (Waddell & Shepherd, 2002) Children (age 4-17) diagnosed with specific mental health disorders Anxiety 6.4%Estimated # in BC60,900 Conduct Disorders 4.2% ADHD4.8%30,900 Depression3.5%19,700 Substance Abuse 0.8% 7,500 PDD0.3% 2,800 OCD0.2% 1,900 Tourettes0.1% 900 Eating Disorders0.1% 900 Schizophrenia0.1% 900 Bipolar<0.1% <900

But could it be something else? Management Competencies, September 30,

The most common mental health issues are usually around: Moods Behaviour Thought

Mood Anxiety (GAD, Phobias, Panic Disorders, OCD,PTSD) Depression (Dysthymia, Major Depressive Disorder, Cyclothymia, Bipolar Disorder)

Behaviour ADHD Conduct Disorders (Violence, Crime) Substance misuse Addictions (substances, gambling, gaming, etc.) Self-harm Eating Disorders

Thought Psychosis schizophrenia

How do I know if this is typical or a more serious problem? Engage the youth Listen Talk Empathize Take note of changes

What if I think it is a problem? Consult with your family doctor CYMH intake line or walk-in (Tues/Wed) # W. Esplanade, N. Van Integrated Family and Youth Intake

What if my child refuses help or to believe that there is a problem in the first place?

Where can I get more information? Resources on Mental Health Support network for families Resources on Anxiety: Resources on Psychosis Resources on support for Mood Disorders Resource on Addictions and Mental Health

A Specific Example: Self-Harm Intentional Self-Injury that includes: Cutting, Burning, Scratching, Hitting, Biting, Falling But does not equate to suicidal behaviour and is not in itself a mental health disorder.

Why Do Some Youth Self-Harm? to deal with unwanted feelings to cope with grief, loss, violence or chronic illness to punish themselves to express intense feelings To turn emotional pain into physical to feel “anything” to feel in control to just feel better

How Common is it? 2008 McCreary ( North Shore/Coast/Garabaldi) : 9% of youth had self-harmed 1-2 times 5% of youth had self-harmed 3 or more times May be becoming more prevalent due to the influence of social media May indicate a mental health disorder

What are the signs? often have wounds like cuts, burns or bruises that they can’t explain many scars that they can’t explain say that they have many accidents cover their body, even during warm weather

What can you do? Talk to your child Ask questions (other symptoms?) First Aid or emergency for wounds Encourage healthier coping strategies Encourage him/her to seek professional help Learn about self-harm Seek professional help for yourself

What questions do we still have? 25

Good Mental Health is not just for kids… Read and ask for help Don’t own what you cannot be responsible for Be kind to yourself Practice Self-Care Be an optimist 26

Thank you for your time! Maureen Lee District Administrator Student Support Services