/R E P E A T -- Media Advisory - Ontario College of Teachers Issues Advisory about Supporting Students' Mental Health (Thunder Bay)/

* One in five students experience a mental health concern

THUNDER BAY, ON, April 9, 2019 /CNW/ - The licensing body for Ontario teachers is issuing professional advice to its 235,000 members about supporting students' mental health.

The percentages of students affected by mental illness are staggering:

* 70 per cent of mental health problems start during childhood or adolescence
* 1.2 million children and youth are affected by mental illness, yet less than 20 per cent receive appropriate treatment
* In Canada, suicide accounts for 24 per cent of all deaths among 15-to 24-year-olds. It's the second leading cause of death among teens.

To promote discussion, the College is hosting presentations and a panel discussion with local school board representatives, students, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre psychiatrist Dr. Amy Cheung, and experts from the mental health community.

The news release, advisory and backgrounder are available on the College's website at oct.ca.

Date:            Thursday April 11, 2019
Time:            9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Media opportunities: 11:00 a.m. to noon
Location:     TownePlace Suites by Marriott ? Lake Superior Room / 550 Harbour Expressway

The Ontario College of Teachers licenses, governs and regulates the profession of teaching in the public interest. It sets standards of practice and ethical standards, conducts disciplinary hearings and accredits teacher education programs affecting more than 235,000 members in publicly funded schools and institutions across Ontario. The College is Canada's largest self-regulatory body.

SOURCE Ontario College of Teachers