Are you interested in supporting the mental health and well being of our youth? The Stepping Stones to Mental Health Advisory Board is looking for new members to help increase mental health awareness in their community.
Stepping Stones to Mental Health is one of 37 provincial mental health capacity building projects that promote positive mental health and wellness to students in Alberta by providing programming and activities in Rocky View Schools, including at Chestermere High School.
Stepping Stones partners with organizations in the community to engage students in their programs and activities. This initiative is an expansion project in Alberta. Alberta Health Services is providing the funding for the staff and support needed to implement integrated, school-based community mental health and prevention programs.
Currently, the two partners in this project are Alberta Health Services and Rocky View Schools, however funding for the project is expected to end in June 2014. Jodi Neetz, Project Coordinator for Stepping Stones to Mental Health, said she hopes the project can continue to be sustainable in the future.
“Stepping Stones offers universal and targeted mental health and wellness education to students, staff and the community. The goal is to engage community members to support mental health and wellness in their community,” said Neetz.
The current advisory board, which meets about three times a year to help create positive mental health experiences in the schools and the greater community, and is now looking for new members to join the board.
“We are seeking community agencies or individuals who want to support the mental health and wellbeing of local youth,” said Neetz.
Neetz explains that the benefits to the community are endless when you engage key stakeholders such as health care professionals, educators, parents, youth and other community members in the discussion about mental health and wellness.
“We can reduce the stigma surrounding mental illness and increase education and awareness to provide strategies toward achieving a healthy balance between the physical, social and mental health of our youth,” said Neetz.
The Alberta Education website states that understanding and promoting positive mental health in schools is a shared responsibility of parents, educators and community partners. Physically and emotionally healthy children and youth are more likely to be successful in school and in life.
Mental health practices in schools have been positively correlated in many areas including enhanced academic achievement and school attendance; increased academic confidence and engagement; decreased oppositional behavior; reduction in high risk behaviors; increased involvement in structured and unstructured physical activities and enhanced respect and appreciation for diversity and individual differences.
“We will welcome anyone who wants to make a difference in their community and support mental health,” explains Neetz.
For more information about the Stepping Stones to Mental Health Advisory Board contact Jodi Neetz at 403.966.2017.
