COUNSELOR CONNECTION
ESC Region15
SEPTEMBER 9, 2020
September is Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month
Sept. 6-12 Suicide Prevention Awareness Week
Resource Links
Here are some links with general information on how you can get involved; the Suicide Prevention Lifeline and AFSP links also include some great graphics/flyers that can be posted. The second AFSP link has what appears to be some awesome infographics/digital content that address suicide/mental health and COVID.
https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/promote-national-suicide-prevention-month/
https://afsp.org/keepgoing/#resources-and-programs
https://jasonfoundation.com/get-involved/suicide-prevention-month/
Also, the links below include lesson plan-style activities:
http://www.pbs.org/inthemix/educators/lessons/depression2/
http://nationalsave.org/pdf/SAVE_Manual_SuicidePrevention.pdf
https://classroom.kidshealth.org/classroom/9to12/problems/emotions/suicide.pdf
Bringing Into Focus: Addressing Students’ Identified Mental Health Needs During the 2020-2021 School Year
A webinar hosted by the
National Center on Safe Supportive Learning Environments (NCSSLE)
Tuesday, September 15, 2020
3:00 – 4:15 p.m. Eastern Time
REGISTER FOR THIS WEBINAR
https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/8381056379384958989
Students, families, and educators are currently navigating unprecedented stressors related to COVID-19 and other local and national events that significantly impact well-being and engagement with schools. As states, districts and schools plan for reopening in a variety of ways, supporting student mental health has never been more critical. The National Center for Safe Supportive Learning Environments [NCSSLE] is pleased to offer the second Bringing Into Focus webinar to support K-12 school systems as they identify and address the mental health needs of students in the 2020-2021 school year.
The webinar will include the following presenters:
- Sandra Williamson, Director, National Center on Safe Supportive Learning Environments
- Nancy Lever, Ph.D., Co-Director, National Center for School Mental Health
- Sharon Hoover, Ph.D., Co-Director, National Center for School Mental Health
The webinar will be facilitated by the National Center for Safe and Supportive Learning Environments.
SUPPORT FOR STUDENTS EXPOSED TO TRAUMA (SSET)
“Designed specifically for use by teachers and school counselors, SSET is a non-clinical adaptation of the Cognitive Behavioral Intervention for Trauma in Schools (CBITS) Program. SSET teaches many of the same cognitive and behavioral skills as CBITS, such as social problem solving, psychoeducation, and relaxation.
SSET is delivered in an easy-to-use lesson plan format that is ideal for educators.
In 10 group lessons, students who participate in SSET learn a wide variety of skill-building techniques to reduce current problems with:
- anxiety or nervousness
- withdrawal or isolation
- depressed mood
- acting out in school
- impulsive or risky behavior”
FUTURE FOCUSED TX
The Future Focused TX campaign - a public-private collaboration - aims to maintain college enrollment rates in Texas despite the effects of COVID-19. This statewide effort will provide free, compelling, research-based digital content to school counselors to help their students graduate and matriculate into college. Join us! We hope to recruit hundreds of campaign partners from across the state of Texas to help us reach students, helping to ensure they have the support they need to matriculate into college.
Please join us to help amplify our impact! Learn more and sign up to receive monthly digital packages to help support your students at FutureFocusedTX.org.
Helpful Resources:
ADVi – Texas’ Virtual College Adviser
ADVi can help expand your capacity and add another layer of support for your students as they make their postsecondary plans.
There are two easy ways students can opt in to receive support from ADVi:
1. Start a freshman application on ApplyTexas.
ADVi is now integrated with ApplyTexas, so when students start their applications, they’ll have the opportunity to opt in to receiving support from ADVi. All the more reason to encourage your students to start their applications early!
2. Text “COLLEGE” to 512-829-3687.
What students receive when they opt in to support from ADVi:
- The ability to ask questions about college 24/7 via text,
- Backup support from our Virtual Advisers if a student has needs or questions beyond what ADVi can provide,
- Student-friendly, accurate, and engaging messages about key college access milestones,
- Information and tips to help with their college applications, planning, and financial aid, and
- Resources to help navigate the transition to college.
All of this is provided free of charge (though depending on students’ cell phone plans, data and text rates may apply) and students may opt out or pause messaging anytime.
QUICK ACCESS TO SUPPORT AND GUIDANCE
Most Popular Guidance and Resources
HIGHLY MOBILE & AT-RISK DIVISION WEBSITES
Child Abuse and Maltreatment Prevention: https://tea.texas.gov/Texas_Schools/Safe_and_Healthy_Schools/Child_Abuse_Prevention/Child_Abuse_Prevention_Overview/
McKinney-Vento Homeless Education: https://tea.texas.gov/Texas_Schools/Support_for_At-Risk_Schools_and_Students/Texas_Education_for_Homeless_ Children_and_Youth_(TEHCY)_Program/
Human Trafficking Prevention: https://tea.texas.gov/About_TEA/Other_Services/Human_Trafficking_of_School-aged_Children/
Mental and Behavioral Health: https://tea.texas.gov/About_TEA/Other_Services/Mental_He alth/Mental_Health_and_Behavioral_Health/
Pregnancy Related Services: https://tea.texas.gov/texas_schools/safe_and_healthy_schools/pregnancy_related_services/
Military Connected Students: https://tea.texas.gov/About_TEA/Other_Services/Military_Family_Resources/
Hurricane Harvey Recovery Mental Health Resources for Schools: https://tea.texas.gov/Harvey_Recovery_MH/
Foster Care and Student Success:
Carol Stevens, M. Ed.
Region 15 Education Service Center
Office: (325) 481-4047
Cell: (325) 651-0101
Gregory Hickey, LPC
Mental Health Specialist
Region 15 Education Service Center
Office: (325) 658-6571 ext. 2113
Cell: (325) 650-8261