The Kamloops Thompson Teachers Association is applauding the school district for investing in mental health supports for students.

KTTA President Amanda Jensen-LaBar is not sure if mental health issues with students are increasing or if people are more aware of the issue now than we have in the past.

Either way, Jensen-LeBar says students are coming to school struggling with anxiety and depression and it is impacting not just those students but everyone around them.

“We’re having more conversations around mental health, particularly when we talk about student mental health and those things are certainly a part of the new curriculum,” she says.

“I applaud the school district in looking at allocating some teacher resources to that issue, and hopefully we will see those resources working for our students in the school district.”

This year’s school budget notes an increasing number of cases of anxiety and stress along with addiction issues whether it’s alcohol and drugs, and it’s allocating resources to tackle the problem.