Mental health libraries and resources at the EMSB 2021: New tools are available

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the repercussions for students, a mental health library will be established at each elementary and high school within the English Montreal School Board community.

At the elementary level, storybooks that can teach valuable valuable socio-emotional lessons have been purchased and will be delivered within the next few days. Teachers and school staff at the elementary level will be able to borrow these books and use them as part of their lessons, with links to lesson plans provided for each book.  At the high school level, the school’s guidance counsellor will have a set of exercise books that they can share/use with students as needed in order to help address the mental health needs of students.

A mental health network is being established for the EMSB community. The Mental Health Resource Center will be offering workshops, information packages, and other services, to address the needs for building capacity in school staff regarding mental health.

These include, but are not limited to:

• Increase staff comfort in identifying and supporting students in obtaining support for students in need;
• Increase understanding and diminish stigma regarding mental illness;
• Establish an arena for staff to share their challenges and successes, as well as to express the needs of their school.

With all of these tools in place we hope to support our students in building their mental health, and to more efficiently identify and address school needs regarding mental health.

About the English Montreal School Board

With a youth and adult sector population of more than 35,000 students, the English Montreal School Board (EMSB) is the largest English public school board in Quebec. Established on July 1, 1998, when the province created new boards along linguistic lines, the EMSB network consists of 77 schools and centres. For more details, visit the EMSB website at www.emsb.qc.ca.