On site mental health and wellness supports for students, staff and families expands to every NGPS school

Funded in partnership between NGPS and Alberta Health Services, and coordinated by Northern Gateway Public Schools (NGPS), the Mental Health Capacity Building in Schools initiative, or MHCB, uses schools as hubs to provide promotion, prevention and early intervention services across the mental health continuum through collaborative networks with schools, communities and health providers.

NGPS began with two Mental Health Capacity Building teams in Fox Creek, CHAMP Team (Choosing Healthy Attitudes through Modeling Pals) and Whitecourt, TEAM for Success, expanding to Onoway in 2019 with the announcement of additional funding.

The division-wide expansion this school year is a welcome support for schools:

“The work these teams do in schools is invaluable," shared NGPS Superintendent, Kevin Bird. "From awareness, clubs and one-one-one support to class presentations, clubs and and connecting learners and families with community professionals and services, Mental Health Capacity Building teams support all learners and make a difference in our school communities every day. We look forward to the impact Success Coaches will make in all NGPS school communities this year.”