Few school psychologists in N.B.’s English school system

Health Council CEO Stéphane Robichaud says non-binary students have a higher prevalence of bullying and levels of anxiety and depression. The Department of Education says the number of psychologists providing services to students inside N.B. schools fell to 28 full-time equivalent positions. That includes 22 psychologists serving 30,000 students in the French school system and six positions serving 73,000 students in the English school system. Combined, that’s down 2.7 positions from last spring when Premier Blaine Higgs pledged to provide more counsellors as part of Policy 713 changes. Government estimates show that more than 40 psychologists are required to properly serve students in the English system alone - nearly seven times the current number.