Good afternoon,
We are reaching out today to share some helpful information from our District’s School Counseling Team on the topic of student mental health.
Mental health is a crucial aspect of overall well-being, influencing how students think, feel, and act. It also impacts their ability to handle stress, relate to others, and make choices. Promoting mental health awareness is vital to ensuring that our students find success both in and out of the classroom.
May is Mental Health Awareness Month – as we prepare for activities around this topic, we wanted to share some information and resources, as well as an invitation for a family information session.
Family Informational Session: 'Let’s Talk About Mental Health'
On Thursday, May 15, families are invited to attend a program presented in collaboration with Makin’ It Happen (https://makinithappen.org). We will discuss mental wellness strategies for parents, youth, and community members. We will also address mental health concerns/warning signs and how to connect to support and community resources. The presentation will take place on the 15th at 6:30 pm at our District Welcome Center, 148 Concord Street. All are welcome for this program.
Our Commitment to Support
Our District has programs and resources in place dedicated to supporting student mental health. These include:
Counseling Services: Our trained school counselors are available to provide support to students who need someone to talk to or who are experiencing challenges.
Group Counseling: With parent permission, group counseling is available for students who would benefit from the support of peers who are facing similar pressures.
Student Education: Developmentally appropriate instruction that is designed to help students recognize when feelings require adult assistance or support is delivered at all schools in Manchester.
Additionally, in the fall we launched the MPower campaign with our middle and high school students to reduce stigma around mental health concerns and connect them to resources on emotional wellbeing and school safety.
Creating a Supportive Environment
Our goal is to maintain an environment where students feel safe, respected, and valued. We believe that by fostering a culture of understanding and openness, we can reduce the stigma surrounding mental health issues and encourage students to seek help when needed.
Each school has a trained student crisis team that works with families when a student needs additional support. We have partnered with Amoskeag Health and the Mental Health Center of Greater Manchester to provide ease of access to mental health clinicians, with parent permission.
How You Can Help
We invite parents and guardians to partner with us in this initiative by:
Encouraging open conversations about mental health at home
Checking out the resources available through our MPower campaign
Connecting with your student’s school counselor if you have concerns about your student’s emotional wellbeing
For more than a decade, the Manchester School District has also collaborated with NAMI New Hampshire to strengthen our entire community’s safety net through comprehensive suicide prevention training, according to NAMI NH Executive Director Susan Stearns. NAMI NH offers free support, education, and advocacy for Granite Staters impacted by mental illness. If you or someone you know needs immediate support, you can call, text, or chat confidentially with a trained crisis worker 24/7 through 988 at no cost. You can find additional resources at the end of this message.
Together, we can make a positive impact on the mental health of our students.
Sincerely,
Joyce Lewis, Director of Comprehensive School Counseling
Jennifer Chmiel, Ed.D, Superintendent of Schools
Resources
MPower mental health campaign: Visit https://mpowermanchester.org/ for student-focused information on mental health awareness
988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988 any time, 24/7, and chat at 988lifeline.org for resources and confidential support for people in distress
NH Rapid Response Access Point: Call or text 1-833-710-6477 if you or someone you care about is experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis
Crisis Text Line: Text 741741 any time, 24/7, to chat with a trained crisis counselor
NAMI NH Connect: Find information on risk factors, protective factors and warning signs of suicide at https://theconnectprogram.org/resources/risk-protective-factors/