Our Work in Schools
Mental Health and Addictions Nurses
Mental Health and Addictions Nurses(MHAN) support patients with mental health and/or addictions issues that are struggling in school by supporting them at school, to remain in school, or successfully transition back to school after being in the hospital or other health institution.
How can Mental Health and Addictions Nurses Help
Working together with the school staff, health professionals, and community-based organizations, MHAN support patients and their families to help understand and improve mental health and well-being, and improve school attendance and success.
Eligibility
- Attend one of the public school boards (CDSBEO, CECCE, CSDCEO, CEPEO, OCDSB, OCSB, RCCDSB, RCDSB)
- We do not provide support to private school boards/students
- Their mental health is impacting school (attendance, success, etc.)
Our Support can include:
- Meet with patients at school. In circumstances where meeting in the school environment is not possible and/or appropriate, we work in collaboration with the family and/or patient to schedule an alternate meeting place. Our primary focus is the school environment, so we try to see them at school rather than their home; however, if needed we can complete home visits.
- Providing patients/families with health teaching and education related to their diagnosis, mental health symptoms, medication monitoring, and other needs related to mental and physical health
- Connect patients with their primary care provider(PCP), help prepare for appointments, and share information (as appropriate) with community providers and school supports
- Provide health teaching/education, strategies, and recommendations to the school staff to help support the patient in the school environment
- Assist to transition back to school after a hospital admission or other admission/stay in a health institution
- Provide system navigation and connecting patients to other services and supports such as counselling, groups, or other identified needs during assessment
- Collaborate with community providers, school supports, and other healthcare professionals by sharing information to improve the patient experience and improve mental health outcomes.