It’s back to school today for thousands of students across Chatham-Kent, returning to the classroom for the first time since before Christmas.
John Howitt, Director of Education with the Lambton Kent District School Board says that while for some, the transition comes with a certain level of uncertainty and anxiety, there are support systems in place.
“Part of the COVID funding that has been going on throughout has added social work or councillors to school boards, as well as regular connection with School Mental Health Ontario resources as well as community resources,” Howitt says. “We, as school boards, have processes in place to make referrals both within school board supports as well as community supports, depending on need.”
Howitt says student mental health issues are easier to recognize and address when in a face-to-face setting.
At the St Clair Catholic District School Board, director of education Scott Johnson says mental health and wellbeing is vital for both students and staff.
“Our primary focus right now is the wellness of our staff and students because you can’t learn and you can’t teach if you’re not well,” Johnson says. “The Ministry has provided more supports, more resources, and more dollars in that both of our school boards have added support staff, social workers and child and youth councillors to address wellness concerns. I don’t think we can underestimate how significant those challenges are, but I don’t think we can underestimate how much we’ve made that a priority in our systems.”
Both the Lambton-Kent and St Clair Catholic boards have links to community resources on their respective websites.
CLICK HERE for mental health resources through the Lambton Kent District School Board.
CLICK HERE for mental health resources through the St Clair Catholic District School Board.
