Manitoba school division asembles new team to fight mental illness and addiction among students

The Hanover School Division has added the final member to a new team dedicated to combatting addiction and mental illness among students.

"By having a team specifically designated to that vulnerable population, we are hoping to address the need earlier," explains Assistant Superintendant Geri Robson. "We know that people show signs of mental illness early on in life, and the sooner you intervene, the better the outcome for both the student and their family."

The service, which specifically targets students between 12 and 21 years old, is a provincial pilot project announced last year. Divisions in Hanover, Portage la Prairie, and Brandon are currently taking part.

Robson says the division is grateful for the government funding as problems with mental wellbeing and addictions to alcohol, drugs, and gambling has become increasingly apparent to school staff in recent years. The pilot itself is a collaboration between HSD, Southern Health, and Addictions Foundation Manitoba. In Robson's opinion, that partnership between the three entities is one of the most exciting aspects of the entire initiative.

"This is a program that has been in need for a long time," she says, "because the clients we have as students are the same clients Southern Health [and AFM] will have as patients."

While this program was announced in early 2019, prior to the onset of COVID-19, she says the pandemic has only highlighted its relevancy.

"I know during Covid there is lots to suggest that the mental health of everyone is struggling," she remarks, "and healthy kids do better in school, so let's address their health before we address their learning."

Right now, there are four individuals working under the Enhanced School-Based Mental Health And Addictions Pilot, as it is officially called.

Nikki Humenchuk and Caitlin Ewanchuk are the two part-time AFM counsellors, Curtis Kulpa is the social worker and wrap-around facilitator, and Shea Kosokowsky, the newest hire, is the psychiatric nurse.

"Throughout my studies, I placed a special focus on youth," she shares, "and I am very excited for the opportunity to bring my expertise and knowledge directly to children and adolescents in schools.

Kosokowsky's former experience in psychiatric nursing was in the Adult Acute Mental Health department at the Health Sciences Centre in Winnipeg. She has since switched locations to serve Southern Health.