Question 5 – Zone 11 Response
Contents
The Question in brief
Response from:
– Travis Croken
The Question in Brief
What do you believe an OCDSB trustee’s role is re: promoting well-being in Ottawa public schools? (See full text of Question 5.)
Travis Croken
Please find my response to your question below. As someone who deals with mental health concerns from my accident, depression, anxiety, and PTSD, this question is close to home. I feel we must work hard to ensure we support our youth and work to end the stigma surrounding mental health. When more people can discuss it openly, new ideas emerge.
A school board trustee’s role in promoting well-being in Ottawa public schools is to ensure an open line of communication with parents, educators, students, and industry experts. We must provide the students and staff with the support they require to feel safe and understood when they seek help. A proactive approach can help to identify issues at an earlier stage; this can help lead to more preventative measures, rather than trying to fix what has already happened.
Mental health is a daunting problem in our society, and the OCDSB has put in place a mental health strategy to help cope with the issues we face. These programs include Best Buddies, SafeTalk, and addictions and counselling to name a few. These programs are curriculum centered and are designed to help students engage and understand.
The OCDSB has a framework for student well-being which includes physical as well as mental health. Taking a holistic view of how we educate our students is essential. This framework helps to ensure all aspects of a child’s development are taken into account. While this program and the programs mentioned above are fantastic ways to support our children. I believe we can always do better and with a new board, and fresh ideas we can make our schools even more supportive.
There are many initiatives which I feel would promote mental-wellbeing such as the use of peer interventions, more outdoor time, and a stronger focus on healthy habits (eating, sleeping, and rest). I am currently looking into what models have worked with other countries and am working to develop a framework of ideas which may help the OCDSB along. We live in a time where we have easy access to people and views from all over the globe. It is time we start to use best practices and evolve our education system.