Canton schools launch new programming to improve student mental health

The Canton Public Schools’ wellness team is gearing up to answer rising concerns about student mental health. Currently in the late stages of development, the project addresses issues raised by the latest results of the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System survey.

The survey, a tool developed by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), is released every two years to school districts nationwide since 1990. Originally created to monitor progress with protecting youth from HIV, the survey now covers a wide range of behaviors related to physical and mental health, including physical activity, bullying, nutrition, and alcohol and drug use.

CPS Wellness Coordinator Ryan Gordy said the 2019 survey showed a spike in anxiety and depression among Canton students compared to previous years. This was especially concerning since other indicators, including drug and alcohol use, were lower. Gordy explained that the data presentation allows comparisons to be made to other districts in Massachusetts and to other states, allowing for a clear picture of student health in Canton.

“The data determines action,” Gordy said, noting that previously, when a spike in vaping use occurred, the Wellness Department had created programming on that issue. With the rise in anxiety and depression, an action plan became critical — even more so because students were surveyed before COVID-19. Experts across the country fear that overall student mental health has likely worsened with pandemic isolation and stress.

Planning for the new programming had started before schools went remote and then was paused but is moving quickly now. Gordy said that the school district’s partnership with KyleCares, an area nonprofit, has made a big difference. For one thing, the organization connects schools with vetted providers.

“That’s huge,” Gordy said, noting that otherwise, staff would have to sort through long lists of potential mental health presenters. In addition, the organization promotes and facilitates long-term comprehensive strategies over short-term or one-off events; it also raises funds to help ensure that school programs are sustainable, with constant messaging.

KyleCares is a North Attleboro-based foundation run by the Johnson family to honor the memory of their son and brother Kyle Johnson, who died by suicide in 2018 as a teenager. He had struggled with anxiety and depression for years despite appearing to be a funny, happy person. He also cared deeply for others. His family created KyleCares with the goal of making it easy for young people to talk honestly about mental health, giving them and their friends and families the courage to seek help and services.

Derek Folan, Canton assistant superintendent and a friend of the Johnson family, said, “Kyle was an incredibly special person. This work the family is doing is going to transform schools by removing the stigma about mental health.”

Gordy said that a key component of the new plan is student involvement. That will be jump-started by the first KyleCares supported program, called Minding Your Mind. Slated to begin soon, it will consist of a speaker series in freshman and sophomore health classes to promote story-sharing. This will inspire conversations about mental health and the importance of opening up. Gordy said another goal is to get students invested in improving mental health and to identify those interested in joining a Student Wellness Advisory Group (SWAG).

SWAG members will become resources for other students, including running workshops in the elementary and middle schools. They will be trained in suicide prevention using QPR: questioning fellow students directly how they feel, persuading them that help is available, and referring them to someone who can help. SWAG will also help with parent nights. These will be held as part of Active Minds, the second program, which will focus on faculty and parent training.

Gordy is optimistic that students will want to be involved. He said there are already two seniors interested in spearheading the group; he expects it will get off the ground sometime in the spring. “The student voice and choice is important in this effort — we want them to own decisions,” Gordy said.

Gordy emphasized the school’s role in building student resilience. He said, “The world is evolving and there’s a need for this kind of preventive work. The goal is to manage stress in a healthy way.”

The program also seeks to raise awareness among teachers, parents, and families and to give them tools to support anyone who is struggling.

Folan said issues that can interfere with learning are concerning to the school and that “social and emotional development of students is a key part of our Strategic Framework.” Pointing out that the loss of a student has a traumatic effect on teachers and the entire school, he said, “We care about the overall well-being of our students.”

Folan is optimistic about the new programming, noting that it will have an immediate benefit to Canton students. “I think we’re going to have a structure that can be a nice model for other schools as well,” he said.

Gordy expressed gratitude for the “incredibly supportive” School Committee and school administration and hard work in developing the program by Wellness teachers, especially Adam Hughes, and CHS Principal David Turcotte.

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Posted by Candace Paris on Feb 5 2021. Filed under News, Schools. Both comments and pings are currently closed.