Oliver Moore
HALIFAX — From Tuesday's Globe and Mail

People with symptoms of mental illness often wait years before seeking treatment. And by the time they do, some will have the odds stacked against them because of the related effects of their disorder: substance abuse, reduced employment options and broken relationships with friends and family.

It's a vicious pattern that the Nova Scotia government is hoping to break by offering even the youngest students specific education in mental health.

Mamoona Brace, who teaches a combined Grade 4 and 5 class in Dartmouth, said she has been incorporating the new curriculum regularly into her classroom. The messages at this level include students being told about the signs of mental disorders, and how to distinguish possible symptoms from normal ups and downs.

The teacher noted that everyday life can provoke a roller-coaster of emotion for children, and they need to recognize when they should be concerned. MORE HERE