Western University professor remembered as champion for youth mental health

A groundbreaking scholar and a champion for youth mental health who was considered a rising star at Western University has died.

Claire Crooks, a recipient of the Order of Ontario, died June 28 following a battle with gastric cancer. She was 50.

A registered psychologist, Crooks, an education professor, established the centre for school mental health at Western University in 2015 and co-founded the Fourth R, which targets violence such as bullying, as well as dating, peer and group violence.

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“Thanks to her vision, leadership, and dedication, it is now recognized as one of the pre-eminent centres for children’s mental health both nationally and internationally,” Western University officials wrote in an online memorial for Crooks.

In April, then-education minister Stephen Lecce announced $150,000 in funding to allow the centre to share 5,000 copies of educational resources prepared by the Fourth R with Ontario students in grades seven, eight and nine.

Described as an “exemplary scholar,” Crooks amassed more than 100 publications during her time at Western’s faculty of education. As well, she trained thousands of educators, nurses, mental health professionals and judges across Ontario on data-driven approaches to violence prevention and mental health, according to Western officials.

“She believed strong mental health could be taught just as other academic subjects, with behaviours and strategies designed to improve mental health on an ongoing basis, rather than picking up the pieces when things were broken,” her obituary read.

Shortly before her death, Crooks was awarded the Order of Ontario, the province’s highest civilian honour. The provincial government called her a “groundbreaking clinical psychologist and researcher.” She was given the honour in “a hastily convened ceremony” at Victoria Hospital, according to her obituary.

Crooks was born at St. Joseph’s hospital in London but grew up mainly in Lethbridge, Alta., where she developed a passion for the mountains. She studied at Princeton University and later earned a master’s and doctorate from Queen’s University.

She is survived by her husband, George Goodall, and her four children: Findlay, 18; Sydney, 16; Grady, 14; and Matilda, 11.

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