National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

Call 1-800-273-8255

Available 24 hours everyday

The 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.

Knowing Signals Campaign

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.

District Contacts

Tonja Fitzgerald
Director, Support Services & Mental Health
850-487-7840
FitzgeraldT@leonschools.net

Ashley Anderson, LCSW
andersona5@leonschools.net

Mental and Behavioral Health Support Services

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

Suicide Prevention and Support
- 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/
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
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
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 you 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.
Substance Abuse Resources
- 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/
More Video Resources
- Managing Anxiety: https://youtu.be/x-jFv1Z5Qdg
- Meet Maggie: https://youtu.be/vNNVEDp0rQI
- Meet Geralyn: https://youtu.be/gUeuF-DLvws

Leon County Schools

Mental Health

Knowing Signals Campaign

District Contacts

Mental and Behavioral Health Support Services

Important Resources

Mental Health Resources

Suicide Prevention and Support

School Support and Student Services

Things Parents can do When Concerned About Mental Health

How to Support a Friend or Relative with Their Mental Health

Substance Abuse Resources

More Video Resources

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