- Leon County Schools
- Overview
Mental Health
- Overview
- Bullying & Harassment Forms
- Local Resources
- Suicide and Threat Assessment Forms and Documents
- Child Trafficking Prevention K-12
- Mental and Emotional Health Education Grades 6-12
- Professional Development Opportunities
- Social Emotional Learning (SEL) K-12
- Substance Use and Abuse Prevention K-12
- Suicide Prevention
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HELP IS AVAILABLE 24 hours a day
If you are in crisis, experiencing difficulty, or suicidal thoughts, here are some things that you can do.
- Talk to a family member; or
- Talk to a school guidance counselor or school administrator; or
- Dial 2-1-1 or (850) 617-6333; or 211 Big Bend Resource Directory
- Call Apalachee Mobile Response Team (MRT): (800) 342-0774; or
- Call the National Suicide Hotline at 9-8-8; or
- Text NAMI to 741-741 to be connected to a free, trained crisis counselor on the Crisis Text Line.
- Call LCS Safety & Security Center 850.922.KIDS(5437) 24/7 HOTLINE
- If you or someone you know is in a crisis or emergency, call 911 immediately.
“If you see something, hear something, say something!” 850.922.KIDS (5437)
Call 9-8-8Available 24 hours everydayThe National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a national network of local crisis centers that provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We're committed to improving crisis services and advancing suicide prevention by empowering individuals, advancing professional best practices, and building awareness.
Hope for Healing navigates the many ways Floridians can access help for mental health and substance abuse.
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Check out this Wellness Video produced by Leon High School Student Jordyn Kirksey!
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Please go to Local Resources for a list of local providers that are providing services via a virtual services platform AND are taking new clients during this time of social distancing and quarantine.
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SCHOOL AND LOCAL MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES
DISC VILLAGE, INC.
DISC Village Health and Wellness Specialists offer students a safe and supportive environment to discuss personal struggles related to Behavioral Health through the New Horizons program. The program works to increase effective communication, anger management, and decision-making skills while offering support in a time of crisis. Contact your child's school counselor to make a referral to the New Horizons program your child's school. Other youth services include:
- In-School Mental Health and Substance use Outpatient:
- Catherine Bravo - catherine.bravo@discvillage.org
2-1-1
Call 2-1-1 for human service information and assistance; available 24 hours a day to listen and provide emotional support, crisis counseling, suicide prevention, and information & referrals. You do not have to be in crisis to call, there is no eligibility criteria, and our services are free.
Mobile Response Team (MRT)
1-800 -342-0774
The MRT is a 24/7 on-call crisis intervention service provided through Apalachee Center, Inc. MRT provides emergency behavioral health assessment, and diversion alternative to inpatient treatment when appropriate.
- In-School Mental Health and Substance use Outpatient:
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Neighborhood Medical Center, the Foundation for Leon County Schools and Leon County Schools have parterned to produced two exceptional public service announcements designed to engage our studentss and parents on the subject of mental health assistance. We invite the community to learn how to listen out for the signals that are being sent everyday. Together we can work to end the stigma and help provide a pathway towards resources.
The commercials feature Leon County School's students.
Knowing Signals Campaign
District Contacts
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Tonja Fitzgerald
Director, Support & Mental Health Services850.487.7309 Office
FitzgeraldT@leonschools.netAshley Anderson, LCSW
Coordinator, Support & Mental Health Services850.487.7318 Office
andersona5@leonschools.netKrystal Baker, LMHC
Licensed Mental Health Professional, Support & Mental Health Services850.487.7133 Office
bakerk1@leonschools.netTia Legree, LMHC
Licensed Mental Health Professional, Support & Mental Health Services850.487.7121 Office
legreet@leonschools.net
Mental and Behavioral Health Support Services
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The School District of Leon County keeps the safety of students at the forefront by providing behavioral and emotional supports for students and families to ensure success.
Our mental health initiatives consist of a continuum of supports for student mental health wellness within the Multi-tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) model. School-based mental health service providers, teachers, support staff, parents and community-based mental health professionals collaborate to develop plans and identify strategies and interventions to support student needs.
In addition, school and district staff participate in ongoing training in youth mental health to recognize, understand, and provide initial support to students who are in distress or who may be developing a mental health or substance use disorder and help connect them to the appropriate care.
Important Resources
Mental Health Resources
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Free Teacher Training Resource
Kognito - Florida School Personnel Mental Health Awareness Training: Teachers can learn how to recognize when a student is exhibiting signs of a psychological distress and how to respond.
FL Tobacco Prevention Training for Educators (FREE; 10, 30, & 60-point PD options)
The Jason Foundation Suicide Prevention Program (2 hours per course)
Monique Barr – Child and Teen Safety Matters (3 hours)
Sanford Inspire-The Sanford Inspire Online Learning Portal provides free, on-demand professional development modules and resources to help teachers improve their practice and encourage Pre-K through 12th grade students to become enthusiastic, engaged learners.
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Suicide Prevention and Support
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National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1.800.273.8255
- American Psychological Association https://www.apa.org/helpcenter/teens-suicide-prevention
- Jason Foundation http://jasonfoundation.com/
- NAMI Tallahassee https://www.nami-tallahassee.org/
- Preventing Teen Suicide: Tips for Parents and Educators https://www.nasponline.org/resources-and-publications/resources-and-podcasts/school-climate-safety-and-crisis/mental-health-resources/preventing-youth-suicide/preventing-youth-suicide-tips-for-parents-and-educators
- Society for Prevention of Teen Suicide http://www.sptsusa.org/parents/
- Suicide Prevention Lifeline https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/
- Youth Mental Health First Aid https://www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org/take-a-course/course-types/youth/
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School Support and Student Services
- School Counseling https://www.leonschools.net/Page/952
- School Psychologists https://www.leonschools.net/Page/950
- School Social Workers https://www.leonschools.net/Page/951
- School Resource Deputies http://www.leoncountyso.com/departments/youth-services/school-resource-deputies
- DISC Village New Horizons Program https://discvillage.com/preventionJ
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Things Parents can do When Concerned About Mental Health
- Talk with your child's pediatrician
- Get a referral to a mental health professional
- Learn more about mental illness
- Work with your child’s school
- Connect with other individuals and families
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How to Support a Friend or Relative with Their Mental Health
- Contact - Stay in regular contact. Pick up the phone; send a text or email to check up on your friend or relative.
- Listen - Listen to your friend or relative. Be patient and understanding.
- Support - Offer to go with them to find some extra support and advice from professionals.
- Encourage - Encourage them to talk about how they are feeling.
- Coping Skills - Help them to develop coping skills such as relaxation or deep breathing. Be there to practice with them.
- Respect - Respect their limits and do not put pressure on them to do things.
- Daily Tasks – Ask: “Is there anything that I can do to help you with...?” Ex. tasks such as shopping, cleaning, etc.
- Wellbeing - Talk to them about how exercise, sleep, and eating healthy can help with their mental health.
- Judgement - Do not judge them or be critical when talking to them.
- Yourself - Make sure to look after yourself and your own wellbeing.
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Substance Abuse Resources
- DISC Village https://discvillage.com/services/youth-services/outpatient/substance-abuse-juvenile-outpatient-services
- National Council on Alcohol and Drug Dependence: https://www.recoverymonth.gov/organizations-programs/national-council-alcoholism-drug-dependence-inc-ncadd
- National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism: http://rethinkingdrinking.niaaa.nih.gov/
- NIDA for Teenshttp://teens.drugabuse.gov/
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administrations: https://www.samhsa.gov/
- Be Smart, Be Well: https://www.bcbsil.com/producer/news/bsbw_addiction.htm
- Partnership for Drug-Free Kids: http://www.drugfree.org/
- The Cool Spot: http://www.thecoolspot.gov/
- Truth Campaign: http://www.thetruth.com/
- Your Room: http://yourroom.com.au/
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More Video Resources
- Managing Anxiety: https://youtu.be/x-jFv1Z5Qdg
- Meet Maggie: https://youtu.be/vNNVEDp0rQI
- Meet Geralyn: https://youtu.be/gUeuF-DLvws