As the back-to-school season looms closer for our region’s students, studies have shown that some children are experiencing anxiety or even depression at the prospect of returning to the classroom.

With COVID-19 creating a difficult disconnect for young people from social circles, usual routines and learning opportunities, the Ontario government has made student mental health a core element in its safe reopening plan.

That plan includes a mentally healthy return to school toolkit, provided to school boards by School Mental Health Ontario and funded by the Ministry of Education.

Erin Schreiter is the social work lead for the Waterloo Catholic Region District School Board.

Speaking with 570 NEWS, Schreiter called the resource “rich and broad”, and says it offers resources that the catholic board will be implementing throughout the school year.

“The resources they offer build on the work the Catholic board has already undertaken to prioritize student well being, social and emotional development and mental health,” she said.

One specific example highlighted, focuses on the first 10 days of student return and beyond, which will be reviewed with staff in the coming weeks and during Professional Development training in early September.

Schreiter said when students return to school, they will need opportunity to build relationships, feel a sense of safety and belonging while re-engaging with learning.

“This isn’t a one-time training opportunity – our team is prepared to support the school staff and students with this material throughout the year,” she said, “The resources in the toolkit aren’t prescriptive; they’re flexible, universal, class-wide yet also culturally relevant and responsive.”

When asked about the Catholic board’s planned initiatives, Schreiter answered that the board has a prepared team of social workers, mental health leads and psycho-educational consultants working to support the mental health and wellbeing of students.

Schreiter mentioned a multi-disciplinary transition team is currently working with students and families with their transition in returning to school.

“Having social work staff within the school board is not new to our region – that’s been in place for many years now,” Schreiter indicated. “As a result of School Mental Health Ontario, we have additional tools we can provide them to help them to identify, perhaps, what is a result of the pandemic and being anxious about coming to school versus what is the result of a more serious mental health concern.”

As part of the safe return to school program, school boards have been encouraged to collaborate with child and youth mental health agencies to support strong connections and make the best use of mental health resources and supports.

Schreiter said the Catholic board already has strong connections with mental health resources in our region and will continue to use those established partnerships to safeguard the mental health and wellbeing of children, youth and families.

“Waterloo Catholic District School Board is well connected to the social service agencies in this region; we have established relationships and partnerships” she said.

“We already have established partnerships and service pathways into children’s mental health agencies in this region. We’re in communication with these agencies now and will continue to be throughout the year.”

In addition to our region’s mental health resources, Schreiter noted the Catholic board has been meeting over the summer with the public board and their mental health team at least twice a week.

She stated the boards take a collective and collaborative approach to ensuring best practices for children and youth in the region.

Schreiter is inviting parents to visit the WCDSB mental health and well-being page, and to speak to their child’s teacher if they feel that the schools mental health support may be beneficial for their child.

“Principals and teachers are the first point of contact and help to facilitate links between social workers and our students.”