Mental health professionals working in these programs estimate that much of their caseload involves violence of some kind, whether the students are victims or perpetrators. They help students find alternatives to violent behaviour and choose appropriate and constructive solutions. Other school-based programs which help students learn conflict resolution, anger management and peer mediation skills have a direct impact in reducing aggressive behaviour and potentially violent incidents. The preventative approach is cost effective. Where school-based programs do not exist, students and families face waiting lists at agencies that may be far from their homes.
Students often become unmotivated and less interested in receiving help.
We urge the government to work with children's mental health centres to expand the number of partnerships between children's mental health centres and schools to reach more children earlier and more effectively. Mental health professionals in school-based programs offer support and guidance to students in a less formal setting that makes young people feel comfortable. The services are easily accessible to students, including those who would never approach more formal agency-based services. The mental health professionals work closely with teachers, special education and guidance staff to identify high-risk students and intervene before a crisis occurs. Children s Mental Health Ontario is a non-profit, independent organization representing Ontario s 90 children s mental health centres which serve over 148,000 children and youth and their families each year.