Hello everyone. I'm hoping this update finds you all well. I've contacted the Newfoundland School Board in hopes that they would allow me into the JR and SR High Schools to give a presentation regarding Mental Illness and Suicide. I am, to say the least, very frustrated with the reply from Krista Manning. The problem with our world today is that too many people have their heads in the clouds and they really could not care less about our children's Mental Health. Please see my letter to the NLESD and their reply to me, which I just received. Apparently, these things were implemented into the school system for quite some time. Then please, Ms. Manning, do tell....why are they not working? You have guidance counselors, psychiatrists, etc in the schools - psychiatrists?? Really? Here in NL?? I'm afraid not. What you need and who you need to promote good Mental Health in the school system are people who are, yes, well versed but also those who actually live a daily life battling Mental Illness. Is there anyone put in place to encourage the students? To tell them that their lives are worth it, to keep up the fight, telling them who they can turn to and what they can do once they begin feeling suicidal? No! Ms. Manning, as well as our Minister of Education, are expecting that our children will go to a guidance counselor if they have thoughts of suicide. I can tell you now...IT WILL NEVER WORK. When I was 9 and had thoughts of suicide, I was fearful to tell my mother, let alone someone in my school. I had no idea as to what was going on in my head. Our education system, as well as our Health System, is a TOTAL FARCE!!! What will it take for our Government Officials to listen to their people. You need someone implemented in the system who actually goes through this and knows how it works and what to do when experiencing a manic episode. VERY disappointed! I will NOT give up and have every intention on going to more media outlets. Please see both email - one from me to Ms. Manning and the other being her reply. Hi Rhonda, Thank you for contacting me regarding your interest in Mental Health education and Mental Health promotion in schools. There are a lot of very positive things happening to support mental health from the provincial and district levels as well as individual schools. NLESD has several qualified professionals who support Mental Health Promotion initiatives in schools. These personnel include Guidance Counsellors, Educational Psychologists, Behaviour Itinerants and Safe & Inclusive Schools Itinerants. NLESD often partners with community groups and professional organizations such as the regional health authorities to collaborate on health events and initiatives which sometimes includes guest speakers on topics including mental health promotion. It is important that external groups are affiliated with professional organizations so that NLESD can confirm the partners have formal training and are qualified to deliver information on specific topic areas. When partnering to deliver Mental Health Promotion we also use the Comprehensive School Health framework to guide our work. Comprehensive School Health framework: http://www.jcsh-cces.ca/index.php/about/comprehensive-school-health As you may be aware the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development develops curriculum while NLESD is responsible for implementing these courses and programs in our schools. Mental Health education is present throughout the Health education curriculum. Some particular examples include: Grade 7 & 8 Adolescence: Healthy Lifestyles - topics include Emotional & Social Well-Being and Relationships Grade 9 Health - topics include Self Concept and Interpersonal Relationships High School - Healthy Living 1200 - topics includes the impact healthy living and an active lifestyle has on social and emotional well-being; substance use and its impact; Personal dymanics involving interpersonal communications, healthy relationships, stress and its impact. High School - Human Dynamics 2201 - Relationships High School - Nutrition 2102 & 3102 - How food impacts overall well-being The following are links to the provincial curriculum that include the information provided above: Kindergarten to grade nine Health curriculum: http://www.ed.gov.nl.ca/edu/k12/curriculum/guides/health/index.html High School Family Studies curriculum: http://www.ed.gov.nl.ca/edu/k12/curriculum/guides/familystudies/index.html To complement the curriculum, schools often participate in evidence informed programs that promote social and emotional well-being such as Roots of Empathy, Friends for Life and Fun Friends. In addition to this and in an effort to help students make good decision in real life and online, all students in Grades 1 to 12 receive annual instruction through our Internet and Social Media Safety (ISMS) program. This initiative provides students important instruction on the use of technology and the many communications mediums that exist today. Should you wish to explore more information on this program, details can be found here: https://www.nlesd.ca/families/socialmediasafety.jsp Thank you for your interest but we will decline your offer at this time. Krista Krista Manning, B.A., B.Ed., M.Sc. School Health Promotion Liaison Consultant Eastern Health & Newfoundland & Labrador English School District - East Region, Avalon East District Conference Centre 40 Strawberry Marsh Rd. St. John's, NL A1B 2V1 Phone: 709-758-2388 Fax: 709-753-1145 E-mail: kristamanning@nlesd.ca "Healthy citizens are the greatest asset any country can have." ~ Winston Churchill On Fri, Sep 8, 2017 at 10:48 AM, girlhorizon1972@hotmail.com wrote: Good morning, Krista: I’m not sure I’m emailing the correct individual but would appreciate it if you could direct me to whom I may contact regarding my inquiry. I am a Mental Health Advocate and am hoping to visit the schools in Newfoundland to speak about Mental Health concerns and Suicide Prevention. As of late, our province has witnessed a sky-rocketing rate in suicides amongst our young people. Mental Illness is on the rise and I believe that we have to make our young people more aware of the stigma associated with it. They need to know the symptoms, how to cope, where to go for help, etc. Most importantly, they need to know that they are not alone and that their lives do matter. I am a LPN and I, too, have suffered with depression/anxiety since the age of 7 years. I am now 45. On August 4, 2017, I began a Canada-wide petition asking that our Government Officials enforce Mental Illness education into the Jr and Sr High School curriculum. As of today’s date, we have received over 33, 340 signatures. I’ve also started a Facebook group, Voices Unheard, for those who suffer with Mental Illness and as of right now, we have well over 400 members. I have had interviews, regarding same, with CBC radio NL and PEI and have also been in contact with the Minister of Education and Minister of Health, NL to discuss further Mental Health promotion in our schools. A presentation has been put together to bring to our youth offering hope, guidance and a better understanding of what they may be experiencing on a mental level. Many do not understand what it is that they are experiencing while others remain silent afraid of peer backlash, hence, we are seeing far too many suicides. I ask that I may be permitted to visit the schools in the St. John’s area to offer this upbeat presentation. Please contact me with suggestions as to how to go about doing this. I thank you, in advance, for your time and consideration. Kindest regards, Rhonda Dicks