Blog

In support of early identification of learning needs, the Manitoba government is investing in early years evaluations and digital assessment tools in English and French for educators and clinicians across the province.

We are here to support you in these early days — and every day after. We’ve helped many practitioners build a practice and have put together a few tips for success!  

While June heralds the official start of summer, it also marks the beginning of Canada’s National Indigenous History Month and Pride Month. These celebrations are dedicated to recognizing and commemorating two historically marginalized groups — Indigenous and 2SLGBTQI+ people — and are an excellent opportunity for educators fostering inclusive environments in their schools to acknowledge and address the challenges they face.

Educators are committing to diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging (DEIB) for all students — especially groups that endure higher rates of mental health challenges as a result of the discrimination they face. For example, according to The Trevor Project’s 2023 National Survey on LGBTQ Youth Mental Health, 41% of LGBTQ+ youth say they “seriously considered attempting suicide” in the past year. The group also reported that 22% of LGBTQ Native/Indigenous young people had attempted suicide, double the rate of white young people, and the highest rate of any group. According to the Canadian Mental Health Association, LGBTQ individuals face higher rates of depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive and phobic disorders, suicidality, self-harm and substance use issues than non-LGBTQ people. Additionally, Statistics Canada reports that suicide rates among First Nations people, Métis and Inuit were significantly higher than among non-Indigenous people, with the rate among First Nations people three times higher than that of non-Indigenous people.

An inclusive approach can help all student groups feel welcome at school. Here are five ways educators can create a more affirming student environment.

There’s no question the pandemic took an incredible toll on K–12 students. They endured social isolation, an abrupt shift to remote learning and disrupted routines. Combined, these factors contribute to an alarming rise in mental health conditions, most notably a surge in anxiety and depression. In fact, two-thirds of parents polled by UNICEF Canada in 2021 reported their child’s mental health had worsened during the pandemic, with nearly half saying their children were experiencing new mental health challenges since the onset.

Students’ families, of course, have a significant stake in addressing this growing concern. But, educators and schools also play a critical role in addressing it by prioritising mental health support and identifying appropriate interventions to ensure the wellbeing and success of their students. Read on for some ways your school can help students cope, especially as summer approaches.

“Not enough hours in the day.” That's a lament of most educators — and most moms and caregivers. As a result, caregivers who are also educators are especially familiar with this struggle. It’s one I can relate to, as a former school psychologist and current mother of two, with another on the way. The truth is, it’s common to feel as though there's not enough of you to go around.   

As an OTR (registered occupational therapist) and Director of Portfolio Management and Delivery at Pearson Clinical Assessment, I have extensive experience working with students who have been diagnosed with a variety of conditions. And, as a mom of an autistic daughter, I understand on a personal level how challenging it can be to get the diagnosis that’s needed — and why it’s imperative that schools join caregivers in their quest for answers.