- Leon County Schools
- Overview
-
Mental Health Support Services
It is part of the mission and vision of Leon County Schools to keep the safety of students at the forefront, and provide mental, behavioral, and emotional support for students and families to ensure educational success and overall wellness.
Our mental health initiatives consist of a continuum of support for student mental health and 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.
SCHOOL MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES (Contact your student's school for more information on school-based support)
- School Psychologists
- School Counselors
- School Social Workers
- DISC Village Health and Wellness Specialists - Disc Village 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 at your child's school. Other youth services include:
-
- In-School Mental Health and Substance use Outpatient contact: Catherine Bravo - catherine.bravo@discvillage.org
Mental Health Resources
-
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.
-
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 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.
-
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/
-
More Video Resources
- Managing Anxiety: https://youtu.be/x-jFv1Z5Qdg
- Meet Maggie: https://youtu.be/vNNVEDp0rQI
- Meet Geralyn: https://youtu.be/gUeuF-DLvws
District Contacts
-
Tonja Fitzgerald
Divisional Director, Health, Wellness & Student Services850.487.7309 Office
FitzgeraldT@leonschools.netAshley Anderson, LCSW
District Threat Management Coordinator, Health, Wellness & Student Services850.487.7318 Office
andersona5@leonschools.netKrystal Baker, LMHC
Licensed Mental Health Professional, Health, Wellness & Student Services850.487.7133 Office
baker-whitek1@leonschools.netTia Legree, LMHC
Licensed Mental Health Professional, Health, Wellness & Student Services850.487.7121 Office
legreet@leonschools.net
Important Resources
Mental Health Articles
-
Dangers of the Virtual World
Technology is an unavoidable part of everyday life. One Tallahassee father is working to raise awareness about the potential dangers of its intensifying grip on today’s youth.