Supporting Mental Wellness in Schools

• Learn prevalence, symptoms, and coping strategies for common mental health disorders in children and adolescents, including anxiety, depression, and suicidality

• Identify effective resources for psychological and behavioural strategies to support children’s mental and physical wellness in the classroom, and in the community

• Understand the overlap between mental illness and physical health complaints (such as pain) and how to distinguish between them

Supporting Wellness in the Classroom: Brains, Pains & Mental Health Symposium

The World Health Organization defines wellness as “a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity”. As most children and youth spend the majority of their lives at school, educators play a critical role in the overall wellness of our children and youth.

In collaboration with Alberta Children’s Hospital clinical experts, this symposia offers interactive presentations and discussion on mental, physical and social health in children and youth. Teachers will be provided with skills, strategies and resources to support students and their families. It is the hope of the presenters to also learn from teachers on how the health system can partner with, and better support students and educators.