Community resources support mental well-being

Who can you turn to when you are seeking support? We asked that question to the Mental Health Resource Centre at the English Montreal School Board, and they shared a few suggestions with us. The following sample of resources are available to help students and their families take care of their mental health and issues related to their well-being.

Strengthening Families Program Montreal

This is a free program offered by the Côte des Neiges Black Communities Association at its location at 6585 Côte-des-Neiges Rd. as well as in some English Montreal School Board schools.

By working with youth aged 3 to 17 years and their parents or caregivers, the pro- gram offers classes in the following areas: parent training, child skills training and family life skills training. The focus is on several areas such as conflict resolution, family therapy, mentoring, and substance abuse prevention and treatment. The goal is to improve social skills and school performance.

The 14-week program is offered in the fall and winter to families who are referred or come voluntarily. During the two-hour weekly classes, youth learn coping skills and anger management; parents learn how to discipline, listen to and interact positively with their children; and in classes that bring parents and children together, families practice what they’ve learned under the guidance of group leaders. There’s a graduation ceremony at the end of the session.

The program comes from an American-based umbrella organization of the same name. The Montreal chapter is funded by schools and Centraide grants.

For more information: www.cdnbca.org or info@cdnbca.org.

The CLSC

CLSCs, or local community services centres, provide health and social services on the premises, at work, as well as in homes and schools. There are several across the province that provide social, psychological and health services. They fall under the Centre intégré universitaire de santé et de services sociaux (CIUSSS).

For more information about what the CLSCs offer and where to find one closest to where you live, visit Quebec’s Ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux’s website and choose “Health and Social Services Institutions.”

Info-Social 811 

An offshoot of Info-Santé 811, Info-Social 811 (Option 2) provides psychosocial assistance 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Individuals can call 811 to speak with a psychosocial worker for problems concerning themselves or a family member. The professionals answering the calls can offer support for emotional distress and, if necessary, provide references for the appropriate resource in the health and social ser- vices network, for example a crisis centre. Types of problems that are handled include anxiety, grieving, relationship problems or if the caller is looking for guidance on how to help a friend or relative. The information shared by the caller remains confidential.

Aire Ouverte

A provincial government resource for young people, the latest and newest Aire Ouverte centre is located at 5245 Côte-des- Neiges Rd. and is staffed by sexologists, nurses and social workers. Young people between 12 and 25 can drop in without an appointment to get everything from a shower to housing and financial advice.

“It’s the middleman between a teen centre and a CLSC,” said Caroline Smisek, a CLSC social worker at Westmount High School. “They can do pretty much anything and everything.” Issues like family conflict, an abusive relationship, an unwanted pregnancy, addiction issues, failure at school or bullying can all be addressed at Aire Ouverte for free and anonymously.

Aire Ouverte centres are located around the city and are accessible by public transportation and are open to anyone regardless of where they live.

Counsellor in the Classroom program

This is a free, school-based program available in French and English to grades 4-12. It’s provided by the Kids Help Phone and offers educators activities and resources to begin in-class discussions about mental health and how to ask for help.

The program has two stages. First, teachers lead their class through curriculum and activities that equip students with basic mental health knowledge and prepare them for a group call with a Kids Help Phone counsellor. The students will then have a 45-minute phone or video call with a counsellor, where they can learn more about the organization.

For more information: www.kidshelpphone.ca.