Success Stories - Student Mental Health – OurSCHOOL Knowledge Base

Member Success Stories The OurSCHOOL survey provides schools with the opportunity to collect student voice and initiate action plans that address the mental health of students in your school. We are often asked for ideas of what other OurSCHOOL members are doing with their data. Here are a few inspiration ideas that address student mental health from fellow educators we have worked with.
In one Alberta school division, a total of 4,000 students in Grades 4 to 12 participated in the OurSCHOOL survey. Several themes emerged from their survey results, most notably the physical and mental health of students. In response, a wellness project was initiated to allow schools to work together to identify the necessary steps to address the health and wellness needs of students and staff in the division.
After looking at their OurSCHOOL results, one Manitoba school created a new strength training and diet program. When applying female drill-downs to their survey results, they found that many female students had low self-esteem. This was particularly evident in grade 10 and 11 groups. The girls noted their desire be in better shape and, in turn, the school created a strength training program consisting of a 1/2 hour work-out on Tuesday and Thursday mornings, followed by breakfast. The school has since seen their self-esteem results improve! And many students reported increased energy levels, better ability to focus in class, and are feeling stronger.
One District in Saskatchewan noticed high rates of anxiety and depression being reported within their OurSCHOOL data. They then used the expertise of their school counselors to develop mental health-centered custom questions as well as presentations to help students understand anxiety. The following year, they were pleased to see the OurSCHOOL results show decreases in these areas.
One Alberta school division received a $40,000 provincial grant to address mental health and wellness in their grade 1-6 students. The grant was used to help address high levels of anxiety found using their OurSCHOOL survey results. How can you use your survey results to apply for grants and other supports in your school?
Several schools in one Ontario division collaborated to hold a mental health fair. Over 20 community agencies attended, including the local police and Saint John Ambulance therapy dogs. The agencies gather in the main auditorium, and all students in Grades 7 to 12 visit booths from each organization and participate in a scavenger-hunt survey and receive resource loot bags to take home.
OurSCHOOL survey results at one Ontario school indicated that grade 9 girls had low levels of self-esteem and confidence compared to their peers. In response, older students from a school leadership program formed a mental health workshop in order to assist their peers to improve their self-esteem and confidence.
In an OurSCHOOL survey completed by more than 3,000 Alberta students, 21% of elementary school students reported feelings of intense anxiety and 23% of high school students reported that they experience feelings or display symptoms related to depression. To help support students, staff in this school division were trained to recognize related behaviors and provide early intervention. Counselors are available to help students who are considered ‘low risk’, in consultation with health authority staff and parents. Students who are identified as ‘high risk’ are immediately sent to the crisis intervention team with their parent or caregiver.
One Alberta division examined their OurSCHOOL survey results and found that a large percentage of their female students were struggling with anxiety. The division decided to implement a girls-only leadership class, offered a self-esteem program, and had a counselor work with the leadership teacher. In addition, all staff received professional development to help them support students with anxiety.
Students in one Ontario high school reported that they were having difficulties in coping with stress in their lives from school and external commitments, such as volunteer work, extra-curricular activities, and part-time jobs. In turn, the school created “catch-up days” with shortened classes and an unstructured block of time to allow students extra time. Subsequently, results showed that the students felt better and less stressed.

We always love to hear what our fellow educators are doing with their data. If you would love to share a story to inspire others of how your school used OurSCHOOL data please reach out to us at support@thelearningbar.com.

Member Success Stories