The Greater Victoria School District is committed to providing safe and healthy learning environments for all students. As part of our approach, we have been focusing on mental health and substance use topics to help us promote well-being in our schools.
Substance use is a complex topic that often highlights varied philosophies, myths, and a great deal of fear. The research shows us that early interventions, particularly around critical thinking and decision making, has an impact on delaying use in youth. As well, open dialogue with adults, intentionality around attachment, and a focus on the factors that contribute to substance use, as opposed to the actual substances, also prevent, delay and reduce substance use in our students.
Our goal is to create a more cohesive,
systematized substance use plan focusing on social emotional learning, that includes our youth and schools, community partners, and families. We strive for a shared vision, common language and consistent messaging over time, in order to support positive youth culture and a healthy perspective on substance use and mental health.
ELEMENTARY
Additional Counsellors in schools (.5 or more)
Support for Social Emotional Learning Programs (Second Step and Taxi Dog)
Youth & Family Counsellor and access to Discovery Addiction Counsellors at all schools
Social Emotional Wellness Advocates
MIDDLE
Mental Health Literacy Program for all Grade 8 students
SU Snapshots for Grade 8 students, staff and parents
Youth & Family Counsellor and access to Discovery Addiction Counsellors at all schools
Social Emotional Wellness Advocates
SECONDARY
Odd Squad videos and resource material on Fentanyl.
SU Snapshots for all students, staff and parents
Youth & Family Counsellor and access to Discovery Addiction Counsellors at all schools
Social Emotional Wellness Advocates
In early March 2018, the Learning Support Team asked parents for feedback on substance use, we had 821 parents respond. Most parents wished communication about substance use to be through email. Survey results included:
There was an equal representation of parents with students in grades 8 - 12 (approximately 20% for each grade).
Most parents responded that they had very little concern for their own child's use and did not see peer pressure as a significant contributor affecting use for their child.
Topics of most concern or interest have become themes for later Snapshots (see SU Focus Snapshot Themes Calendar above). The "Other" category included death, overdose, and fentanyl as greatest concern.
