SD57 teachers are overwhelmed by student mental health

The Prince George Teachers Association (PGTA) said the “mental health situation in SD57 is at a crisis point.”

According to the Canadian Mental Health Association, as many as 20 per cent of youth are affected by mental health.

President of the PGTA, Joanne Hapke said high school councillors are reporting being overwhelmed by the number of students experiencing mental health issues like suicide an addition.

“Triage has become the norm; this is the case in many elementary schools as well.”

Hapke said there are only 17 councillors for SD57 elementary schools which are usually just in one to two days a week and there are 12 elementary schools without any.

SD 57 Board Chair, Tim Bennett said the number of councillors is based on the ratio of total kids in the district, and not all schools may have a full-time counsellor.

“We need to look at where we can best support our students, partly through budgeting and look at how we can best address the needs of students.”

He said addressing the increase in mental health is a priority for the board.

“We have heard from our teachers and principals year after year they are seeing an increase in students and families dealing with mental health issues and anxiety…. We know there is a way to go and will be discussed as part of the new budget.”