Speaker Name: Bonnie Blakley
Session Description:
Imagine a child who cannot get up and go to school, is withdrawn, has few if any friends, is escalating or violence. Imagine a family that has tried to help their child but hasn’t been able to find the right support or treatment.
CASA Mental Health Classrooms aim to intervene early, treat mental health, and create the environment needed to improve academics. Our model combines medical and therapeutic treatment in a variety of programs that serve the ‘missing middle’ – mental health treatment between home and hospital.
Our approach reflects Alberta’s recovery model. Coordinated early intervention and evidence-based treatment is tailored to meet the needs of the kids we serve. We collaborate with community partners to contribute to a system of care where kids can step up, to and through CASA services, as well as back out to other partners.
As part of the Alberta Recovery Model, CASA Mental Health has partnered with the Government of Alberta, to make record-breaking expansions to services for children and youth. Through this partnership, Alberta is investing $70 million to bring online 60 CASA Mental Health Classrooms across the province.
CASA Classrooms are designed for children and youth in Grades 4 through 12 who are struggling with mental health symptoms. Their symptoms might include anxiety, overactivity, poor concentration, emotional outbursts or behaviour issues, but they all have one thing in common – the patient’s mental health is impacting their home, school and social lives. CASA Mental Health Classrooms address the need for services closer to families by bridging a child’s mental health and school needs, through a coordinated approach by a CASA Mental Health team and a teacher.
CASA Mental Health CEO Bonnie Blakley will share the story of CASA Mental Health Classrooms and share the successes and impacts achieved since launching in 2023.
Learning Objectives:
Participants will understand the CASA Mental Health Classroom model, including early intervention, integrated medical therapeutic supports and school-based care. They will explore Alberta’s recovery framework, cross-sector partnerships and system navigation, and examine impact outcomes and lessons learned by scaling 60 classrooms to support children and youth.
References:
The State of Mental Health in Canada 2024
Canadian Mental Health Association
A Generation at Risk: The State of Youth Mental Health in Canada (Oct 2024)
Mental Health Research Canada
Implementing School-Based Mental Health Services: A Scoping Review of the Literature Summarizing the Factors That Affect Implementation – PMC
National Library of Medicine
ChildYouth_School_Based_Mental_Health_Canada_Final_Report_ENG_0.pdf
Mental Health Commission
Fortifying the Foundations: A Comprehensive Approach to Enhancing Mental Health Support in Educational Policies Amidst Crises – PMC
National Library of Medicine
Schools As a Vital Component of the Child and Adolescent Mental Health System | Psychiatric Services
Psychiatry online
BIO
Bonnie Blakley knew she wanted to serve the social fabric of families and communities in Canada from an early age. Today, as the CEO of CASA Mental Health, she has the pleasure of working with a dynamic team in bringing accessible, effective mental health services to all of Alberta’s children, youth and families.
Bonnie’s roots are in the prairies. Her diverse career was nurtured in Saskatchewan where she worked in leadership positions within the Government of Saskatchewan, the Saskatoon Health Region and 3SHealth.
Bonnie is also a mother/stepmother of seven, a YMCA Woman of Distinction, the recipient of the 2022 Queen Elizabeth Platinum Jubilee medal and the 2024 Alberta Recovery Model, Youth Impact Award recipient. Bonnie works hard every day to live up to her personal philosophy to walk with purpose and lead with grace.