Mental Health Capacity Building In Schools Initiative
Grasslands Public Schools
Grasslands Public Schools
The Mental Health Capacity Building (MHCB) in Schools Initiative works to promote positive mental health in children, youth, families and support individuals in the community who interact with children and youth. The MHCB initiative is based on research and best practice literature that demonstrates that mental and emotional wellbeing can be developed, nurtured and supported through promotion and prevention efforts.
MHCB provides the staffing and support required to implement an integrated, school-based community mental health promotion and prevention program, and works with community partners to facilitate access to early intervention and treatment services for those who require it. The programs are locally planned, coordinated and implemented through collaboration with Alberta Health Services zone operations and existing partnerships, school jurisdictions, parents, community agencies and other regional service providers.
About our Grasslands MHCB Program
Our MHCB team consists of a program manager and 4 school wellness mentors & currently reaches 10 schools in our division
Our MHCB approaches include: grade-specific programs taught in the classroom , group work, school-wide presentations, staff wellness initiatives and participation in collaborative health and wellness committees and groups.
Our team offers free summer activities to children and families in the City of Brooks and County of Newell
MHCB Mission
To promote positive mental health in children, youth, families and individuals in the community who interact with children and youth.
To promote positive mental health in children, youth, families and communities by raising awareness, increasing knowledge, building personal skills (such as self-care and self-regulation techniques), developing interpersonal skills and fostering positive community norms (such as support networks, physical and psychological safety).
To intervene early by facilitating access to early intervention and treatment services for children, youth, parents and/or caregivers who are at greatest risk of (or are currently experiencing) addiction and mental health issues. (This includes the use of screening as indicated by AHS).
Improve knowledge of and access to effective and innovative services across the mental health continuum through community collaborative networks with schools, health supports, and community agencies to coordinate and streamline existing services (while identifying and advocating for unmet needs)..
The MHCB initiative serves children and youth under age 19, and their families.
The MHCB initiative was initially funded in 2006, beginning with 5 pilot sites around the province.
Most MHCB programs serve rural and remote communities.
MHCB programs operate 12 months of the year.
The MHCB initiative is aligned with Alberta Health and Alberta Health Services provincial strategies which emphasize promotion and prevention along with early identification and intervention. The diversity of approaches used by MHCB is based on research and best practice literature, and is reflective of the needs and resources of individual communities. This includes the engagement of traditionally under-served populations.