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Programs and Services » School Health, Safety, and Counseling Services » School Health, Safety, and Counseling Services

School Health, Safety, and Counseling Services

The School Health, Safety, and Counseling Services Team includes includes consultants for School Counseling, School Health, and School Safety as well as a School Safety Program Manager, a Project A.W.A.R.E consultant, and a Behavioral Health Partnership Program Liaison from the Center for Health Care Services. They work closely together to provide training and resources that support the physical and mental wellness of all students in schools that are safe and healthy. 

Mental Health First Aid

 

Mental Health First Aid is an international training program that has proven to be effective through peer-reviewed and evidence-based research. Youth Mental Health First Aid teaches you how to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental illness and substance use disorders in youth. To bring the Youth MHFA course to your campus or re-certify staff who are now expired in the new curriculum, please contact your Local Mental Health Authority (LMHA) Outreach worker. Courses are also offered through ESC-20. Please remember: this course is free through your LMHA and to Bexar County educators at ESC-20. Youth Mental Health First Aid is listed on Governor Abbott's School Safety Initiative.
 
Youth Mental Health First Aid teaches you how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illness and substance use disorders in youth.

 

Texas Health and Human Services Commission School Mental Health Supports
 
This interactive map allows districts to identify their ESC as well as their Local Mental Health Authority (LMHA). By clicking the photo below, you will be redirected to the website of the interactive map. 
Interactive map that crosswalks districts to their ESC and LMHA

The Texas Education Code §38.351 requires the Texas Education Agency, in coordination with the Health and Human Services Commission and regional education service centers, to provide and annually update a list of recommended best practice-based programs and research-based practices for implementation in public elementary, junior high, middle, and high schools within the general education setting. Each school district may select from the list of programs appropriate for implementation in the district. 

 

The list of best practice resources can be found on the TEA website at the following web address: 

Mental Health and Behavioral Health | Texas Education Agency

 

* This is a required posting of information.

Texas Suicide Prevention

The Texas Suicide Prevention initiative is the result of a collaborative effort throughout the state of Texas of community-based organizations, state and local agencies, academic institutions and many others who work together to reduce suicides in Texas.

 

Texas Suicide Safer Schools: Advancing Suicide Safer Schools Roadmap

Texas Suicide Safer Schools Roadmap is intended to be used as a planning guide for suicide prevention, intervention, and postvention by Texas school districts. This Roadmap provides public health information based on best practices for suicide prevention, intervention, and postvention. It is recommended that each Element be used in the order presented to ensure a comprehensive approach to suicide prevention planning.

 

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention

AFSP is dedicated to saving lives and bringing hope to those affected by suicide, including those who have experienced a loss.  AFSP creates a culture that’s smart about mental health by engaging in the following core strategies:

  • Funding scientific research
  • Educating the public about mental health and suicide prevention
  • Advocating for public policies in mental health and suicide prevention
  • Supporting survivors of suicide loss and those affected by suicide
 

As students, caregivers, and educators, it’s essential to keep mental health at the forefront of your school planning. In a world of managing to-do lists, relationships, and post-COVID stress, Crisis Text Line is here to help you keep your mental health top of mind. Crisis Text Line provides free 24/7 mental health support to anyone in crisis. And, we’ve partnered with states, schools, and universities to provide direct access to 2.5 million middle school, high school, and college students across the country. Anyone in crisis can text SCHOOL to 741741 to reach a volunteer Crisis Counselor.

Mental Health America Grief and Bereavement
This website provides resources for coping with loss, knowing what to expect when a death takes place, mourning a loved one, dealing with a major loss, living with grief, helping others grieve, helping children grieve, and looking to the future. 
 
Speaking Grief
Speaking Grief is a public media initiative aimed at creating a more grief-aware society by validating the experience of grievers and helping to guide those who wish to support them.
 
Refuge in Grief
From Megan Devine, author of It’s OK That You're Not OK, is her webpage Refuge in Grief. "If your life has exploded into a million little bits, you don't need platitudes. You don't need cheerleading. You don't need to be told all this happened for a reason. Some things cannot be fixed. They can only be carried." Find resources if you are grieving or know someone who is grieving. 

National Institute on Drug Abuse: Drugs of Abuse

National Institute on Drug Abuse: Drugs of Abuse
(en español)

National Institute on Drug Abuse for Teens: Drug Facts

National Institute for Teens: The Science Behind Drug Abuse Parent Resources

ReadyKidSA Substance Abuse Services

Parents are the Key to Safe Teen Drivers: Resources for Parents

The Center for Motivation and Change: 20 Minutes Parent’s Guide

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Parent Resources

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Parent Resources
(en español)

Substance Use Resource Center

Get Smart About Drugs: A DEA Resource for Parents, Educators & Caregivers

Commonly Abused Drugs Chart

Family Checkup: Positive Parenting Prevents Drug Abuse

A Parent’s Guide to Preventing Inhalant Abuse

MADD's Power of Parents

Texas Health and Human Services Audiovisual Library on Substance Abuse Topics

DrugRehab.Com Resources

Substance Abuse Guide for Parents

Heroin Resources

Teen Drug and Alcohol Abuse: A Guide for Caring Parents

Vaping 101--Health Relation, Benefits, Dangers, Fun Facts, and More

Texas Health and Human Services Substance Abuse Resources

Parent Further: Talking About Alcohol and Tobacco

Recovery Village: Teen Drug Abuse Statistics & Facts

Alcoholism Resources

National Crime Prevention Council Drug Abuse

 

The California Healthy Minds, Thriving Kids Project
A series of free, evidence-based video and print resources that caregivers and educators can use to teach their kids critical mental health and coping skills. The project was born of an innovative partnership between the state of California and the Child Mind Institute.

National Child Traumatic Stress Network - Families and Trauma
Even in the closest of families, it is sometimes hard to remember that family members may have different reactions to the same traumatic event. Resources on Families and Trauma were developed by the NCTSN.