Listen Live
Listen Live

Teacher mental health declining at twice the rate of other BC residents: Teachers Federation

The President of the BC Teachers Federation is calling on the province to provide sector-wide training for using a trauma-informed lens when it comes to mental health supports.

Teri Mooring stated some families were disproportionally impacted by the pandemic.

She told Vista Radio teachers saw a decline in their mental health at twice the rate of an average BC resident during the pandemic.

“You know, there has no doubt been a toll taken on the entire system in large part because a lot of the preventative health and safety measures that we were calling for since last September were not put in place until very late in the day.”

“In addition, we cannot disregard the discovery in Kamloops of the 215 unmarked graves is having on Aboriginal families, communities, and colleagues in BC.”

Mooring added while she is happy the vaccination rate is over 50% for those aged 12-17, further guidance on some of the health and safety measures may be needed as we head deeper into August.

“We need to see the regional breakdown because what might happen in the fall is that if we see communities with relatively high transmission rates and low vaccination rates then we will need to take a regional approach with some of the safety measures.”

Mooring was equally appreciative of the fact a further determination on masks will be made at around the same time frame.

“Some students and staff will continue to wear masks and that needs to be respected and we have of course have students and staff with underlying conditions making the vaccines less effective.”

On Thursday, the provincial government provided $25.6 million in new one-time, pandemic-specific funding to support cleaning and disinfecting measures as well as improved ventilation and restock supplies of personal protection equipment (PPE).

Mooring stated while the investment is a good start, more money will likely be needed as schools reopen their doors.

“It’s not a lot of money so I anticipate more will be needed but it’s good to have the announcement where funding is set aside for that because we are hearing from a lot of districts they are running deficits right now.”

Here is a further breakdown of the new one-time funding:

Something going on in the Prince George area you think people should know about?
Send us a news tip by emailing [email protected].

    • $14.4 million for health and safety, cleaning and supplies
    • $5 million to support First Nations students and build capacity within First Nations Education Steering Committee and Métis Nation BC
    • $5 million for mental health services
    • $1.2 million for independent schools
Brendan Pawliw
Brendan Pawliw
Since moving to Prince George in 2015, Brendan has covered local sports including the WHL’s Prince George Cougars, Prince George Spruce Kings, UNBC Timberwolves, Cariboo Cougars AAA, and Northern Capitals U18 female hockey teams. Career highlights include play-by-play during the Spruce Kings' BCHL championship runs in 2018 and 2019, including the Doyle Cup win. He also covered the 2019 National Junior A Championship, the 2017 Telus Cup, the 2022 World Women’s Curling Championship, and the 2022 BC Summer Games. Brendan is the news voice on 94.3 The Goat and Country 97 FM, reporting on crime, real estate, labour, and environmental issues. Outside of work, he officiates box lacrosse and fastball, sits on the Prince George Sports Hall of Fame board, and co-hosts the Hockey North podcast.

Continue Reading

cjci Now playing play

cirx Now playing play

- Advertisement -

Related Articles

- Advertisement -

Latest News

$250,000 damage following fire on Pacific Street

Prince George Fire Rescue crews responded to a commercial structure fire in the 1000 block of Pacific Street yesterday morning (Sunday) at approximately 5:40.

Williams Lake RCMP investigating fatal crash

Just after 5pm on Saturday (July 12th), North District Corporal Madonna Saunderson said the Williams Lake RCMP received a report of the incident on Highway 97 at Mountain House Road. Saunderson added a Chev pickup and a Toyota Camry had collided and initial investigation indicates that the Toyota pulled out onto the highway in front of the pickup.

Spruce Kings add Muchalla as skills coach

Muchalla, a former Spruce Kings captain played 161 games for his hometown club tallying 64 goals and adding 117 assists over three seasons from 2007 to 2010.

Highway 16 crash between PG and Vanderhoof becomes fatal; two others injured

Highway 16 was closed for roughly four hours before re-opening to traffic. The investigation is ongoing and more information will be released when it comes available.

Hartley’s Sports Shorts; Monday, July 14th

Special Olympics BC Summer Games: The 2025 Special Olympics BC Summer Games in Prince George is officially over.
- Advertisement -