Mental Health On the Rise in Ontario Schools
Violent incidents in schools has statistically shown a vast increase in recent studies when compared to previous years. The teacher’s union says a lack of support services, guidance counsellors, and mental health professionals for some of Ontario’s most vulnerable learners is at least partly to blame.
A People for Education report, sites only 17 per cent of elementary school students have access to a guidance counsellor. There are 9,000 kids waiting for long-term psychotherapy; and according to Children’s Mental Health Ontario, some have to wait one and a half years for treatment.
The teachers’ union is calling on Queens Park to increase access to these services.
Sam Hammond, president of the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO) said more resources are needed, although he’s not asking for a specific amount of money.
“We are working on the strategy right now in terms of well-being — It’s one of the four priorities that we have,” said Education Minister Mitzie Hunter.
Minister Hunter and ETFO are scheduled to meet on Wednesday to discuss new ways of increasing support to both staff and students.