Mental Health Prevention Programs
Why are Mental Health Prevention Programs Needed?
The Covid-19 pandemic has impacted student mental health. Students report increases in depression symptoms, suicidal ideation and intent, anxiety; and decreases in things like focus/attention. Disruptions to learning over the onset of the pandemic affected students’ supportive social connections—especially those individual experiences they crave from adults in their buildings.
Historically, the District has supplied mental health intervention services for students through established relationships with school-based community mental health providers. This has been and continues to be an integral part of the district's response to support the mental health needs of our scholars. Each of the school-based community mental health providers is assigned a roster of schools which ensures that every school in the district has mental health support. However, across the country, there is now a pronounced shortage of mental health providers and greater needs for mental health services.
Therefore, the Say Yes to Education (C.M.S.D.), Partnerships and Wraparound Prevention Programs & Services department are working to broaden the menu of available resources and build out Mental Health Prevention Programs to for a continuum of care.
What is the focus of the Mental Health Prevention Programs?
Mental Health Prevention Programs will have targeted, focused differentiated support and support gaps in services including but not limited to:
- Gender-Specific Programs such as support groups and consultative groups.
- Programs supporting at-risk youth, such as racial and ethnic minorities, LGBTQ youth and youth with unique needs.
- Programs supporting schools that have been affected by a crisis/tragedy but need added support after our wonderful District crisis response has ended.
- Professional Development training for staff focusing on but not limited to promoting developmental assets, responding to trauma, anger management, mindfulness, compassion fatigue, grief, and other areas (targeted for both scholars and staff).
