Giving area bus drivers the tools they need to help improve mental health wellness among students.
That was the focus last week at a professional development gathering in Dryden hosted by the North Western Ontario Student Services Consortium.
Larae Harbour is the Mental Health Co-Lead with the Keewatin-Patricia District School Board and they provided some tips to drivers.
Harbour says part of the training was noticing the signs of mental health struggles and using breathing and grounding techniques to bring a sense of calm.
They note that bus drivers start and end the day with their students, so it’s critical that they be involved.
Harbour says drivers should feel comfortable speaking with students who may be feeling stressed and needing additional support.
They add practicing your own mental health wellness will help you assist others in need.
To hear more from Larae Harbour, visit the Audio link below.
