More than 20 Grade 8 students gathered in a music classroom at St. Marguerite Bourgeoys School April 3 for a suicide awareness presentation.
Mary Dawn Eggleton, with Suicide Information and Education Services from Red Deer, discussed warning signs of at-risk youth with the class of engaged youth who have been brought up surrounded by instant access technology and a “you-only-live-once” pop-culture mindset.
“We talk about support networks and how to build them,” she said.
The interactive event was just a small part of efforts by local school boards to develop an educational environment made up of strong social fibres. While mobile phones and new educational tools have extended the traditional playground into cyberspace, educators are looking at new ways to keep kids safe.
In the wake of criticism of school administrators at the Halifax Regional School Board in the high-profile Rehtaeh Parsons suicide, a light has been shone on the need for a modern approach to preventing tragedies and educating youth about the ins and outs of the new digital landscape.
Now a growing body of research shows kids with a strong support network are better able to combat the negative effects of cyberbullying and other online threats. Teaching kids how to be there for their friends was one of the main objectives Eggleton covered in the talk.
“We talk a lot about healthy living and healthy choices,” she said. “If you have holes, how do you fill those holes?”
Kelly Schwartz, an educational psychologist at the University of Calgary, said with technology as an important element of our education system it's important youth build resiliency with real-life associations to back up their online pursuits.
“Technology is a primary element of our day-to-day educational setting,” he said. “Kids that have good social support networks around them are likely to do better in life.”
Though actual incidences of bullying reported by students have remained constant, clocking in at 37 per cent of 14- to 18-year-olds, the nature of social networking has increased the impact of each individual action through the “audience affect,” according to Schwartz.
“It's that bystander group that we're really curious about,” he said. “Everything they post and everything they comment on is open to being shared and being abused. We want kids to understand if they are witnessing something that is harmful to themselves or someone else they can take responsibility for that and intervene as a peer or become an advocate of the child who is being victimized.”
Wanda Christensen, associate superintendent with student services at Chinook's Edge School Division, says Alberta's new Education Act, expected in 2015, will likely give administrators greater tools to correct and support students, similar to Ontario's Safe Schools Act, which gives educators the power to intervene even in situations that arise off school property.
Taking a proactive approach to building a healthy school environment will help students feel comfortable seeking help if necessary, she says.
“If they ever tell their story and nothing's done, that does not build the trust that we need,” she said. “They're worried how it's going to be handled.”
Already things have changed drastically from her days as a school counsellor, she noted.
“We didn't have nearly the access to the curriculum and supports we have now,” she said.
Paul Mason, superintendent of schools with Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools, says the school board encourages students to report any concerns to their teacher or principal, and notes they have a Safe and Caring Schools administrative procedure in place.
"Providing a safe and caring environment for our students is a basic principle of practice for all staff in our schools,” he said. “Students are very much aware that intimidating a fellow student is not acceptable.”
