As the school year winds down, an effort to help students with lessons beyond the classroom is underway during Mental Health Awareness Month. During this national campaign, Buncombe County Schools Student Services Department is highlighting healthy mental health habits and services offered to students all year long.
“It is so helpful to have the tools to cope with stressors that come in everyday life,” says Kelley Adams, counseling lead with BCS Student Services. “This is a good reminder to start building your ‘toolbox’ and developing healthy coping skills for stressors in life now and stress that will come in the future.”
Educators in primary and elementary grades work with students through the school year with lessons on how to deal with difficult feelings and how to help others. As students get older, they work through lessons that help them develop communication and collaboration skills. Schools also have positive behavior interventions and support (PBIS) which provide students a foundation for positive character development.
“It’s powerful when students develop skills to help themselves and also their friends. Students may talk with each other before talking to a trusted adult,” Adams added.
Student Services works to help families add to that “toolbox” throughout the year. Earlier this year, the department invited students and parents to a viewing of SCREENAGERS, a documentary about unhealthy online behavior and digital addiction. Following the film, there was a roundtable discussion for families to share their experiences. Such events help build the framework for support in a student’s life.
“Partnering with parents in their child's education has always been crucial to student success,” said Dr. Shane Cassida, Buncombe County Schools Director of Student Services. “By listening to one another, families could build real strategies to promote safer and healthier use of social-media platforms within their homes.”
Activities throughout the grade levels can also help alleviate stress by bringing students together, reinforcing a sense of belonging, and building a supportive community.
“Pep rallies, field days, and school spirit weeks are not only fun, but reinforce a sense of belonging,” says Adams. “Being active and engaged with others can be a real mood-booster. Class and club activities that allow students to help others can have the same effect.”
During Mental Health Awareness Month, BCS Student Services is also sharing resources with families with easy-to-try strategies for developing healthy mental health habits. Click on the links below to see more on each topic:
Parents and students can also contact their school’s student services team for more information.