Module 8: Responding to Mental Health Needs Mental Health Literacy

Guiding Principles 1.A person with mental illness is someone whose need for treatment is no different than the need of someone with a physical illness 2.There are many different kinds of treatments for depression and other mental illnesses. These include: counseling, specific types of psychotherapy and medications

Guiding Principles 3.Choosing the right kind of treatment for a mental illness is an important first step in getting well 4.Treatment for a youth with mental illness should be a collaboration involving the person with the illness, their family, a health provider and the school

Sources of help The student’s family and friends – Who is in your life? At school: – coach – resource teacher – Vice-Principal – social worker/attendance counsellor – guidance counsellor – school psychologist

Sources of help (2) Community – Mental health counsellors – Physicians – Clergy – Coaches

On the Web… m/educators_advocates m/educators_advocates

What is helping? The student must want the help They must be active participants in the work The helper must be well-trained Counselling must offer privacy, comfort, and a good fit with a person’s life All of these things lead to: – empowerment