Middle School Counseling Corner
Hutto MS & Farley MS
District Counseling Information
We understand that our students may feel additional stress and anxiety during this time of uncertainty, and we are committed to supporting the social and emotional needs of our students and families. Starting Monday, March 23rd, students or parents can request to speak with their school counselor by emailing their counselor. Email addresses are available at the bottom of this page.
School counselors will be available to respond to emails and appointments can be made to connect with a parent or student via phone if needed. Responses and appointments would occur during normal operating hours while schools remain closed.
Suicidal thoughts or behaviors are both damaging and dangerous and are therefore considered a psychiatric emergency. Someone experiencing these thoughts should seek immediate assistance from a health or mental health care provider. Click here for an additional list of available resources.
NEW - FREE MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING FOR TEXANS: Texas Health and Human Services has launched a 24/7 statewide mental health support line to help Texans experiencing anxiety, stress or emotional challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This new resource offers COVID-19-related mental health support for all Texans. People can call the Statewide COVID-19 Mental Health Support Line 24 hours a day, 7 days a week toll-free at 833-986-1919.
in the event of a medical or mental health emergency, please do not email your school counselor.
The following is a list of resources available to you in an emergency:
Williamson County Mobile Outreach Team (MOT) @ 512-864-8277
Bluebonnet Trails Community Services @ 1-800-841-1255
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline @ 1-800-273-8255
911 or the nearest hospital emergency room if you can get there safely
For help accessing local community resources, please reference the following directory providers and local organizations:
For more information about supporting your child during this time, please consider the following resources:
National Association of School Psychologists - Talking to Children About COVID-19 (Coronavirus): A Parent Resource
Child Mind Institute - Talking to Kids About the Coronavirus
SAMHSA: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration - Coping With Stress During Infectious Disease Outbreaks
Center for Disease Control - Managing Stress and Anxiety
The Washington Post - Parenting during coronavirus: What to know about play dates, education and more
Psychology Today - How to Talk to Kids and Teens About the Coronavirus
College Career and Military Readiness
Texas OnCourse
College Board
College Board is a useful tool for all students when it comes to planning for College and Career. Here you can explore career interests, watch video testimonials, find colleges, learn about financial aide and much more.
GenTX
Generation Texas is dedicated to assisting students in Texas with materials and information to guide them on their CCMR journey. Start with this checklist for middle school students to help get organized and make a plan for high school and beyond.
7 Ways to Reduce Stress
At some point in life we assume that stress is just part of normal life that comes with responsibilities, relationships, school or work related demands and/or adverse events. This is particularly true during this unprecedented time we are facing right now. Learning positive coping mechanisms can help eliminate, avoid or decrease the causes of stress. We will examine the next 7 ways to help cope with stress. You can choose just a few to get started and please remember to be kind to yourself and others during this challenging time!
1. ENGAGE IN PHYSICAL ACTIVITY
Exercise protects the body from negative effects of stress. Moderate and vigorous physical activity helps fight stress by reducing cortisol levels. This can help improve mood, reduce life dissatisfaction, improve quality of life, and improve depression.
2. DEEP BREATHING
Deep breathing signals your body’s other relaxation response, the parasympathetic nervous system. Focus on inhaling deeply through your nose for five seconds, expanding your lungs, and filling your chest to the maximum. Exhale slowly through your mouth for five seconds using the large muscle at the base of your lungs, the diaphragm. This deep breathing helps combat stress by lowering your heart rate and eliciting positive psychological and behavioral effects.
3. RESTORATIVE SLEEP
Engage in activities that promote restorative sleep. Such as setting regular hours for going to bed and waking up, eating meals at consistent times, avoiding a heavy evening meal, eliminating electronic usage at least 1 hour before bed.
4. DISPEL PERSISTENT, NEGATIVE THOUGHTS
Stress can cause negative thoughts and negative thinking trigger stress. The result is a negative cycle of thinking that brings you deeper into stress. Take a few minutes daily to evaluate your thoughts. Focus on your qualities and attributes not on the things you don’t like about yourself.
5. JOURNAL
Some people find it helpful to write about their stress and others use gratitude journaling to combat worry. Gratitude journaling three to five things a day on what you are grateful for has been shown to increase positive effect, happiness, reduce depressive symptoms, and reduce stress.
6. INVEST IN SOCIAL RELATIONSHIPS
Family and friends can offer rich social support to power you through stressful times in life. In fact, social support is essential for maintaining health. Rather than withdrawing when under stress, conscientiously stay connected.
7. LAUGH
Laughter is not only good for improving mental health, but also the immune system. When you laugh, you systolic blood pressure and heart rate decrease while serotonin increases. Laughter decreases cortisol and helps to reverse the body’s stress response. When you laugh, your body releases endorphins that trigger positive feelings in your body and help relieve feelings of discomfort and depression. Tare a few minutes to write down five things that make you laugh. Consider how you can find humor and joy in everyday life.
Taken from article “14 Ways to Reduce Stress” written by Cami Martin, MPH
(Health Education Director for Nedley Health Solutions)
Ideas to try at home...
Mindful Smelling
Mindful Tasting
Mindful Seeing
Remember this game when you were younger? Or maybe you don't. In an age of technology, how much do we slow down and search for details around us? We don't. Think this is just for little kids? Think again. Give it a try and see how many things you can actually SEE when your forced to slow down and focus on and find the details.
Middle School Counseling Team
Alisha Adams
Silvia Covarrubias
LaWanda Epting
Christy Feltner
Hannah Garrad
Julie Steed
Jennifer Ashman-Porter
Director of Student Services
Email: jennifer.ashman@huttoisd.net