Student health is linked to educational success, but as many as 60 per cent of youth who are worried about a health issue do not consult a health care provider and avoid going to a doctor’s office. This can be for many reasons, including limited transportation and reluctance to discuss a problem perceived as having a social stigma.
With the opening of the new Wellness Centre at John Barsby Community School in Nanaimo, students in grades eight through 12 can now access primary care in a confidential, safe and familiar setting, without leaving the school grounds.
The centre is a partnership between the Nanaimo Division of Family Practice, Island Health, the Nanaimo School District, and community agencies. Doctors and public health nurses have teamed up with school staff, social workers, child and youth mental health clinicians, child wellness therapists, and family support workers to deliver a wide range of services.
Read more on the Divisions of Family Practice website.