I would like
to devote this blog entry to discussing mental health. Sadly, mental health challenges
are all too common. Almost all families have dealt with these challenges at
some point; depression, anxiety, self-harm, and in extreme cases, suicide. My
own father dealt with serious, long-term depression before passing just over a
year ago. I have visited families in hospitals and attended funerals for
students who have taken their own lives. It is one of the parts of my job that
I dread the most.
As the father of three school age children, student safety and wellness is always our top concern. We know that emotional, behavioral, and mental health challenges create obstacles for our students. Our Board of Education wisely recognized this reality and added a specific goal around mental health to our District Strategic Plan. We have not solved the issue, but we are making progress.
Working with the mayors of Papillion and La Vista, our school district has formed PLV Cares. The purpose of PLV Cares is to review and communicate the resources in our community to address unmet mental health needs. The PLV Cares group includes representatives from law enforcement, community service providers, and health care professionals. The group has already made great progress including a Facebook Live event on suicide awareness and a Parent and Teen Workshop on suicide awareness and depression.
We have made important progress in other areas as well. PLCS recently partnered with Boys Town National Hospital to offer the Safe Schools Crisis Hotline. This hotline will be available to families free of charge to access when dealing with crisis situations. PLSHS alum Sarah Rose Summers recently met with our students to discuss the importance of kindness. We continue to partner with Project Harmony to provide wrap-around services to families in need. Lastly, the District will host an upcoming workshop for families on the importance of kindness and bullying prevention, two key aspects of mental health awareness.
We are all responsible for safe, healthy schools and communities. If you have suggestions on topics you’d like me to cover, please drop me a line. And as always, Be Kind!
As the father of three school age children, student safety and wellness is always our top concern. We know that emotional, behavioral, and mental health challenges create obstacles for our students. Our Board of Education wisely recognized this reality and added a specific goal around mental health to our District Strategic Plan. We have not solved the issue, but we are making progress.
Working with the mayors of Papillion and La Vista, our school district has formed PLV Cares. The purpose of PLV Cares is to review and communicate the resources in our community to address unmet mental health needs. The PLV Cares group includes representatives from law enforcement, community service providers, and health care professionals. The group has already made great progress including a Facebook Live event on suicide awareness and a Parent and Teen Workshop on suicide awareness and depression.
We have made important progress in other areas as well. PLCS recently partnered with Boys Town National Hospital to offer the Safe Schools Crisis Hotline. This hotline will be available to families free of charge to access when dealing with crisis situations. PLSHS alum Sarah Rose Summers recently met with our students to discuss the importance of kindness. We continue to partner with Project Harmony to provide wrap-around services to families in need. Lastly, the District will host an upcoming workshop for families on the importance of kindness and bullying prevention, two key aspects of mental health awareness.
We are all responsible for safe, healthy schools and communities. If you have suggestions on topics you’d like me to cover, please drop me a line. And as always, Be Kind!
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