Transmitted by Canada NewsWire on : November 1, 2004 06:59

New mental health resource available for high school students, parents and counsellors



TORONTO, Nov. 1 /CNW/ - The Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) released today Mental Health and High School, a new publication and website to help raise awareness and educate students, parents and high school staff about dealing with a mental illness or other mental health problems. The resource includes tips on recognizing signs and symptoms, learning how to cope, and knowing when and where to get help.



"High school can be a difficult time for anyone, and dealing with a mental illness or other mental health problem makes it that much more challenging," said Bonnie Pape, National Director of Programs and Research at CMHA. "But getting the right kind of help at the right time can make all the difference. For that reason it is critical that high school students, as well as their parents and teachers, understand mental health issues and how to address them. This resource will help ensure that students experiencing mental health problems recognize the signs, get help at an early stage, and go on to have a successful high school experience."

Mental Health and High School is a national initiative of the Canadian Mental Health Association. The goal of this resource is to ensure success in high school for students living with mental illness or other mental health problems, and help with the transition to post-secondary education. 



Dr. Stan Kutcher, Professor of Psychiatry and Associate Dean for International Medicine at Dalhousie University, estimates that mental illness affects between 10 and 12 per cent of Canadian youth. "We've known for some time that mental disorders have a serious impact on our young people, with the onset of many of these illnesses occurring in the teenage years. We are hopeful this important resource will contribute to earlier detection and intervention, and ultimately ease the burden of these illnesses on our youth."

Each section in the Mental Health and High School handbook is based on the input of students, parents, education and mental health professionals from across Canada. The online resource is designed to address the unique perspectives and needs of high school students experiencing mental health problems or mental illness; their parents and other family members; and school  staff, such as teachers and counsellors, who provide front-line support to students.

This project makes a lot of sense given the tremendous increase in mental health issues that we see kids dealing with today," says Phil Hedges, Executive Director, Ontario School Counsellors' Association, who was involved in the development of Mental Health and High School. "This Handbook and website gives us easy access to valuable information that will help students who are facing mental illness and other mental health problems. There are complex issues that need to be addressed, and these tools will help counsellors, teachers and parents offer more effective and consistent support to these youth."

The Mental Health and High School project was generously funded by Human Resources Development Canada. The Handbook will be distributed to all secondary schools throughout Canada and is also available free of charge by contacting the CMHA at 416-484-7750, or by visiting the website at www.cmha.ca/highschool.

The Canadian Mental Health Association is a national, voluntary organization that exists to promote the mental health of all people, and to serve mental health consumers, their families and friends through education, public awareness, research, advocacy and direct services in more than 135 communities across the country.



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For further information: or to set up an interview, please contact: Joanne Koskie, National Director of Communications, CMHA,  (416) 484-7750 ext. 236 or at jkoskie@cmha.ca; or Rachelle Amyotte, Communications Assistant, CMHA, (416) 484-7750 ext. 234 or  rachellea@cmha.ca



CANADIAN MENTAL HEALTH ASSOCIATION - More on this organization



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