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LETTERS: Mental health literacy training in schools is needed now

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Dear Editor:

Re: School District 57 committed to mental health literacy after death of two students: superintendent; published Dec. 5.

Condolences to the families.

This school district and staff is definitely not educated enough to actually provide services, and yes I absolutely agree with Harmer Dee that it’s more about classification and funding for the school instead of actually supporting the student/students in need. I am glad to hear that something might be done within a few years, but it’s not good enough. Immediate implementation of said training is needed now. Doing this through the next few years leaves several children vulnerable to future tragedies.

I speak from first-hand experience as I fought for help with my child and eventually demanded a move to another school. Thank God this new school took my concerns seriously and looked at my factual evidence in order to help my child. I demanded help and services immediately; on my time, not theirs. I work very close with my child’s new school and what happens to my child at school because of this. Lots of evidence at her old school was ignored and staff was grossly negligent putting my child in serious risk.

Here’s a plan of action:

Never ignore a child or the parent/parents. Take every concern seriously without judgment or emotional input. Deal with facts, support the student and families by providing services instead of lip service, and absolutely follow up.

For heaven's sake get the proper training. How are teachers, faculty, and school district assisting us parents by teaching our children when they themselves are uneducated? Scary and unethical.

Prayers for the families and people involved with these students, as they now have to deal with a tragedy because adults failed them. My apologies as a parent for this failure; we don’t know each other, but it breaks my heart this ever happened in the first place.

— Rebecca Sluchinski, Prince George