Mental Health Minute
Alief ISD Guidance and Counseling Newsletter, December 2020
An Overview of the Holiday Blues
Feelings of sadness that last throughout the holiday season, usually from November through December, are often referred to as the holiday blues. While less serious than clinical depression, these feelings can have a major impact on your ability to function normally during this time of year.
THE HOLIDAY SEASON AND YOUR MENTAL HEALTH
https://alternativelyspeaking.ca/holiday-season-mental-health/
ARE THERE THINGS WE CAN DO TO BOOST OUR IMMUNE SYSTEM?
Alief ISD Hosting Angst Webinar on December 16th
Alief Mental Health Team will be hosting a question and answer session immediately following the presentation of the film.
Click below to register
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_-2JxpdNORJqnnkuVsqb0QQ
VIRTUAL TOOLS
Trauma Informed Training Series
As a result of school closures and remote learning due to the COVID-19 pandemic, students have been at higher risk of exposure due to adverse childhood experiences and first hand exposure to the effects of COVID-19. We also know that many educators have themselves experienced a prolonged state of stress over the course of the pandemic and share many of the concerns regarding loss of safety, health and predictability as students upon the return to school.
That’s why TEA has launched Project Restore and this trauma-informed training video series, which is designed to address these extraordinary and unprecedented needs and connect you to relevant science and strategies that can help you address your own emotional needs as well the needs of your students and colleagues. This series will help educators create an environment that jump starts teaching and learning and drives student achievement.
T-Mobile activates 988
T-Mobile officially activated the new nationwide 988 emergency lifeline for mental health support services. Now that it’s enabled, T-Mo customers can dial 988 and get access to free mental health support from the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.
Earlier this year, the FCC designated 988 as the three-digit number for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, giving quick and easy access to a network of 180 local and state-funded crisis centers. The FCC is requiring all phone service providers to direct 988 calls to the NSPL by July 16, 2022, but T-Mobile is activating it 19 months early and is the first major US carrier to do so.
In order to activate the 988 emergency lifeline, T-Mobile modified its network to translate and route 988 calls to the existing National Suicide Prevention Lifeline number, which is 1-800-273-8255 (1-800-273-TALK). T-Mo also updated its billing system to make sure customers will not be charged for 988 calls and create a bounceback message so that anyone who texts 988 on T-Mobile will get an immediate response asking them to call 988.
The holidays can be a difficult time for many people during normal circumstances, but things are made harder this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Activating the 988 emergency lifeline now can help people get the mental health support they need quickly thanks to the shortened, easier to remember three-digit number.
Source: T-Mobile
Houston To Launch COVID-19 Mental Health Support Program
The city is launching a new mental health support program providing resources to people during the COVID-19 pandemic, Houston officials announced Tuesday.
The program — called "Let's Beat COVID-19: Health Education, and Support Services," or HESS — launches Thursday, and includes a support hotline, virtual support groups, and other re
sources, according to the city's health department.
"There is nothing wrong with seeking mental help," said Mayor Sylvestor Turner. "Until COVID is gone, whatever help you need, there's nothing wrong with just getting the help you need to get past this day. Emotional, mental, spiritual, the good news is that there are people available to do it."
People experiencing mental or emotional stress can call 713-999-9442 to reach a mental health professional, according to the city. The hotline is available seven days a week from 1 p.m. To 11 p.m., until at least Dec. 24.
DATES TO REMEMBER
December 1st
Harris County Promise Kick off at Taylor High School
December 16, 2020
8:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Elementary and Intermediate December Counseling Meeting/Fellowship
1:00 p.m.- 3:30 p.m.
Middle and High School Counseling Meeting/Fellowship
5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Angst Film Presentation
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_-2JxpdNORJqnnkuVsqb0QQ
December 21, 2020 to January 1, 2021
Student/ Staff Holiday
COUNSELOR SPOTLIGHT
Shawn Sumpter, M.Ed., LPC, CSC
Shawn enjoys spending time with family and friends, playing basketball, swimming, listening to music, helping students, and the continued hope that he is 'making an optimistic impact in the life of a child'
Shawn shared that he is most proud of his counseling partner, Teri Marrow, and working together to recognize student achievements during this virtual time with Miller's Mobile Honor Roll Celebration in which counselors visited all honorees both face2face and virtually presenting them with a certificate of recognition, parent thank you letter, and Whataburger coupon for a free hamburger. They are also excited about their mentor program - Mentors Making A Difference (MMAD) matching Miller students with staff members or high school students (shout out to Kerr and Hastings for all considerations) as mentors for the school year.
Join us in honoring Mr. Sumpter for all the hard work he does to make Alief Counselors the best in the world.
REMEMBER TO WEAR YOUR MASK ON AND OFF CAMPUS
RESOURCES
Mental Health Screening Tool
https://screening.mhanational.org/screening-tools
NAMI Texas
http://www.namitexas.org/
NAMI National
http://www.nami.org/
Crisis Intervention of Houston
http://www.crisishotline.org/
Harris Health System
https://www.harrishealth.org
Harris County Psychiatric Center (HCPC)
https://hcpc.uth.edu/
Harris County Sheriff’s Department Crisis Intervention Team (CIT)
713-221-6000
Houston Police Crisis Intervention Team (CIT)
http://www.houstoncit.org/
The Harris Center for Mental Health and IDD
http://www.mhmraharris.org
The Council on Alcohol and Drugs Houston
http://www.council-houston.org
American Psychiatric Association
http://www.psych.org/
American Psychological Association
http://www.apa.org
Anxiety Disorders Association of America (ADAA)
http://www.adaa.org/
Autism Society of America
http://www.autism-society.org
National Institute of Mental Health
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/
National Suicide Prevention
http://www.texassuicideprevention.org/
Obsessive Compulsive Foundation
http://www.ocfoundation.org/