Students displaying stress or anxiety have increased the last few years, particularly after the COVID-19 pandemic, said Alexis Webb, PISD’s executive director of guidance and counseling.
Behavioral health is a person’s mental, emotional and social well-being. It covers a range of issues such as ADHD, anxiety and depression.
“Our students’ mental and emotional health directly affects how well they can learn and grow in school,” Webb said.
The overview
Children’s Health system operates the school’s telebehavioral program, which provides short-term counseling and psychiatric consultation. Through the program, students meet with a hospital counselor through video calls at school.
The number of students utilizing services for behavioral health has increased 84% since the 2019-20 school year in PISD, according to Children’s Health.
The video program allows students to access care without having to drive across the metroplex, said Tamara Perry, senior director of telehealth operations at Children’s Health.
“We’re able to provide this type of health care to our patients no matter where they are,” Perry said.
Students struggling with anxiety, sadness or the ability to control their emotions can have a harder time succeeding in class or connecting with classmates, Webb said.
Mental health disorders can affect how a child behaves and learns, according to Cook Children’s officials. Cook Children’s, which has a location in Prosper, offers behavioral health services for children and teens.
While Children’s Health telehealth services help expand the number of students who can access mental health services, Webb said there are several ways students have support in PISD.
The district’s Hope Squad is a peer-to-peer suicide prevention program that aims to promote mental health awareness and provide support among PISD students, Webb said. The squads are in middle and high schools and are not meant to act as counselors, but are educated to recognize signs of suicide contemplation and report concerns to an adult, according to the district.
PISD schools also have student support counselors who focus on student’s mental and emotional health, Webb said.
“We want to support our students and their families,” she said. “That’s why our district provides several ways to support students’ emotional well-being.”
Celina ISD students take a behavioral health survey at the beginning and middle of the school year, said Starla Martin, the district’s director of student services. This helps counselors understand students’ likes, needs and feelings.
School counselors also stay in contact with the parents and clinicians of students who are receiving therapy services.
What they're saying
“The sooner you address your child’s struggles and provide the necessary support, the sooner they can begin to heal and develop coping strategies to manage their depression or anxiety," said Starla Martin, Celina ISD director of student services.
“We believe that taking care of our students’ emotional health is as important as teaching them math or reading—because when students feel emotionally healthy, they’re better prepared to learn and succeed," said Alexis Webb, Prosper ISD executive director of guidance and counseling.
What parents should know
Mental health concerns like depression and anxiety are not uncommon in children and teens, but they can impact a child’s social and academic development, Martin said. Open communication between parents and their child is essential, she said.
Being involved in extracurricular activities, such as team sports, church youth groups and school activities can have a positive impact on youth mental health. Involvement in extracurricular activities provide opportunities for children to develop friendships and connections as well as improve confidence and self-esteem, according to Cook Children’s.
Poor mental health can stem from a variety of factors. This includes no restrictions on social media, household stressors such as finances or relationships as well as poor sleep and academic progress, Perry said.
Behavioral, emotional and physical changes parents should watch for include:
- Frequent headaches or stomach aches
- Changes in appetite
- Not wanting to participate in social activities
- Excessive fear or worry
- Changes in sleep patterns or nightmares
- Expressions of worthlessness or hopelessness
- Fatigue, low energy or difficulty concentrating
