Children - Adolescents - 7 - 18 Years.
Comprehensive School Health
Comprehensive School Health (CSH) is an integrated approach to health
promotion that gives students numerous opportunities to observe and learn
positive health attitudes and behaviours. It aims to reinforce health
consistently on many levels and in many ways.
CSH views health as a resource for daily living. It recognizes that
many different factors affect the health and well-being of students,
including the physical condition of the home, school and community; the
availability and quality of health services; economic and social conditions;
and the quality and impact of health promotion. CSH encourages and depends
on active partnership between everyone who can and should contribute
to the well-being of students, including teachers, parents, peers, health
professionals and the community.
The CSH approach promotes health within and beyond the classroom, encouraging
values, skills and actions that foster the healthy development of students.
A Four-Part Framework
The Comprehensive School Health framework combines four main elements:
instruction; support services; social support; and a healthy environment.
1. Instruction
Instruction is the basic way students receive information about health
and wellness, health risks and health issues. CSH instruction includes
active health promotion through comprehensive curriculum, varied materials,
lifestyle-focused physical education, and varied learning strategies.
Effective instruction allows students to develop knowledge, attitudes,
skills and behaviours for healthy decision-making. It fosters life
skills, such as health literacy, problem solving, and communication
skills, and promotes a sense of personal competency and self-efficacy.
2. Support Services
Available and accessible support services are key to early identification
and treatment of many problems that can cause long-term learning difficulties
if not addressed. These supports may include health, social, and psychological
services. While many of these services are not the responsibility of
the school, the school can be a convenient access point for many students
and families and an economical delivery point for the services. Many
organizations are responsible for delivering these services, including
public health units, social service organizations and non-governmental
health agencies. Support services for schools and students include
health appraisal and monitoring, guidance services, treatment and rehabilitation
services, social services and referrals.
3. Psycho-social Environment
The psycho-social environment refers to the psychological and social
support available within the school and in relation to the home and
community. This support can be informal (friends, peers, and teachers)
or formal (school policies, rules, clubs or support groups). This component
also takes into account how the school operates and what policies are
in place. The psycho-social environment can help students grow into
active contributing members of society if they are treated with respect
and encouraged to participate. Positive health role models, peer support,
a positive school climate, family support, and appropriate public policy
all contribute to a healthy psycho-social environment.
4. A Healthy Physical Environment
A clean and safe physical environment helps prevent injuries and disease.
It can extend to travel to and from school, and includes appropriate
sanitation, lighting, noise and other environmental standards; clean
air; measures for promoting safety and preventing injuries; minimal
exposure to toxic substances: and measures for preventing overcrowding.
For more information on Comprehensive School Health and related approaches,
go to the Safe,
Healthy Schools Gateway  .
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