Wood Buffalo schools are starting to offer student support and tackle mental health issues among the students. Educators in the area have formulated protocols for intervention and response in order to better assist students who need help with mental health issues. Staff at Wood Buffalo schools are being trained to spot behaviors associated with mental health issues, so that early intervention can be offered before the problem becomes worse. Students with mental disorders need support, but this support must be given at the right time and in the right way in order to be effective. Student support is offered whenever it is needed, and staff training means that students who need help with mental health issues will get this faster.

Brenda Sautner, the associate superintendent of education and administration for FMPSD, explained “We developed a protocol that has different levels — if a student is thinking about suicide, talking about suicide or making a plan — and depending on the level, the level of support is immediately engaged. School counsellors will deal with the low level (risks), in consultation with Alberta Health staff and parents, but the kids who are identified as high risk, which means they have a number of high risk factors, they are immediately sent to the crisis intervention (a children’s mental health therapist) with the parent. The supports are immediately wrapped around the student.” Other options also include collaboration with mental health services in order to boost student support at a time when this support is sorely needed.