Written by Christine Wincentaylo General Member
What is health literacy?
Health literacy refers to an individual's ability to access, communicate, understand, and use basic health information and services to make important decisions regarding their health. This involves understanding how to describe symptoms, knowing where to seek help for health concerns, and comprehending medical information.
Why is health literacy important?
Health literacy is crucial in empowering people to take control of their health and advocate for their and their families' well-being while helping ease the strain on Canada's healthcare system.
In Canada, statistics show the need for health literacy with “. . . 60% of Canadian adults and 88% of seniors are not health literate. Some seniors cannot follow instructions on a medicine bottle”(Canadian Public Health Association, 2014, as cited in ABC Life Literacy Canada, n.d.).
“60% of adults in Canada cannot obtain, understand and act upon health information and services and make appropriate health decisions on their own” (Canadian Council on Learning, 2008, as cited in ABC Life Literacy Canada, n.d.).
“Providing chronic patients with education on self-management combined with ongoing supervision by a case manager could create savings of over $2,000 per patient per year” (Canadian Public Health Association, 2008, as cited in ABC Life Literacy Canada, n.d.).
What programs are offered in Canada?
It uses an approach called Comprehensive School Health (CSH). Each school has a School Health Facilitator (SHF) who works with the school, caretakers, and students to create a school action plan.
A hub for school health and wellness information, resources, and support from Alberta Health Services.
The program aims to improve the health and wellness of all school communities in Wolf Creek by addressing, supporting, and promoting the importance of the following three pillars: Healthy Eating, Active Living, and Positive Social Environments. The following links contain valuable ideas and information about programs and resources that support schools in promoting healthy eating, active living, and positive social environments.
An evidence-based social-emotional learning curriculum designed to cultivate students' emotional intelligence, empathy, and problem-solving abilities.
A kit provided for elementary and high school students shares ways teachers can address mental health in the classroom and in the curriculum lesson plans and shares other ways to promote mental wellness by having a school committee, having a mental health fair, and sharing/informing parents.
These stuffed animals help children navigate emotions while providing resources such as the feelings chart, Be A Feeling Detective, and Make Your Feelings. These plush animals help children feel happy, safe, confident, and compassionate, and they help them build and maintain substantial friendships.
Our evidence-based curriculum fosters long-term impact by focusing on the brain's emotional center. Each lesson is designed to correspond directly with neurological functions, enhancing students' ability to regulate emotions, improve focus, and develop empathy.
A "Go-To" Educator is any school staff member, such as a guidance counselor, psychologist, or administrator, whom students naturally feel comfortable approaching for support and discussing their concerns. The one-day Go-To Educator Training Program aims to enhance staff members' mental health literacy. The program offers guidance on recognizing early signs of mental health issues and disorders, equipping educators to make effective referrals that connect students with appropriate care resources within the school and the broader community.
Lesson plans, activity ideas, professional learning, and more. Our vision is for children and youth to appreciate and embrace the benefits of healthy, active living. Partnerships with school boards, public health agencies, government, non-government organizations, and companies to create innovative programs and services.
References
Mental Health Capacity Building (MHCB) in Schools Initiative. https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/amh/page2754.aspx
The Apple Schools Foundation. https://appleschools.ca/
What is Health Literacy? ABC Life Literacy Canada. https://abclifeliteracy.ca/literacy/health-literacy/