The purpose of the RRNST is to provide interim support to schools during times of crisis so that schools remain open as a safe, caring environment for students. When requested by a community or Nishnawbe Aski Nation, the team provides support for staff to continue to deliver education and wellness for students. This support is provided as a result of the support of the Ministry of Indigenous Education for all NAN and Treaty 3 communities.
The team consists of four educators and one crisis counsellor. In addition to the crisis counsellor, all educators on the team have specific training related to mental health and wellness such as Mental Health First Aid, Assessing for Suicide in Kids (ASK), and Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST).
The team works collaboratively with the school administration and staff in order to support youth, parents and staff at the school in a variety of ways. This support looks different in each community. The following is an example of some of the work the team has done:
- Coordination and organization of information to aid with supporting students at risk
- Wellness checks for struggling students
- Collaborative creation of a school support plan to identify the needs of the school and what types of support are needed
- Support to organize and gather information required for Jordan’s Principle funding
- Organize and run staff meetings to help educators understand and respond to grief and provide strategies on how to best support students
- Short term mental health support for staff and students, with a focus on creating pathways to care
- Staff coverage and at the elbow support
- Organize and run wellness workshops for parents, staff and/or students after school
- Create and teach lessons, both curriculum and wellness related
- Set up and run grief room for students and staff
- Check-ins with the principal/admin team
- Follow up support as requested e.g. resources, aftercare ideas
A map of the communities we serve:
