Spring Grove district tackles mental health challenges
The York DispatchFeb 06, 2019
The district partnered with
It also utilized the unique position of resource officers to be able to connect with students on a personal level, said Spring Grove Area SRO Keven Mengel.
"We have the kind of relationships with kids that sometimes the teachers and maybe a guidance counselor doesn't have," he said.
SROs, in talking to students each day, can acquire a greater knowledge of the student body, both inside and outside of school, because pupils trust them, said
What they're learning: The curriculum rolled out about a year ago -- right before the
It was developed by the
Bova, of the
The course looks at adolescent brain development and uses the
It helps officers to understand the difference between normal behavior and disorders based on intensity, frequency and longevity, he added.
During the training, officers also looked at techniques such as de-escalation -- making sure needs are met from both sides of an altercation, acknowledging a student's frustration and letting that student offer an opinion of the situation.
They discussed eating lunch with kids, taking a walk with them or offering an outlet for expression such as a graffiti board, and Bova suggested following up after an escalated incident.
He also stressed the value of praise, saying, "You have kids who literally in their whole life, they don't have anyone...who ever says they're proud of them."
District action: Brown said the district is also taking additional proactive measures to support mental health, such as adding a social worker to its team of school counselors and psychologists.
A number of district clubs support appreciation of differences -- such as the Big Buddy club, which pairs students on the autistic spectrum with the general education population.
"That helps a lot with bullying," she said.
The district has a mental wellness council, which includes nurses, staff, administration, students, parents and board members who report on what's needed, including areas such as nutrition services and physical and health education.
The group often looks at current issues such as the opioid epidemic, asking how they can support students with family members who are affected.
They are planning to start a mental wellness committee, hoping to bring ideas that came out of student feedback, such as a wellness suite for students to go when they're not feeling their best.
"It's a need," Brown said.
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