School-Based Mental Health

Classroom Connections

Provides on-site behavioral health services in numerous schools throughout the City and County. Behavioral health services that occur in the schools are designed to promote improved academic functioning by enhancing the mental health of the students in the building and assisting teaching staff with developing strategies that will promote success. Services are delivered to students in a variety of ways. Each service may be selected individually or bundled to meet the specific needs of the students, faculty or families. Services include individual and group counseling, classroom presentations, consultation with teaching staff, and participation in school and student planning meetings.

Linkages

This school-based program provides suicide prevention, depression education and suicide screenings to students in Mahoning County Middle and High Schools. Our Masters-degreed counseling staff utilizes an Evidenced Based curriculum geared towards increasing students’ awareness of depression in themselves and in their peers. Our staff also screens students for suicide risk, conducts clinical interviews with students who have positive screenings, and coordinates follow-up for professional services with school staff and parents when needed.

Youth Mental Health First Aid

Youth Mental Health First Aid is designed to teach parents, family members, caregivers, teachers, school staff, peers, neighbors, health and human services workers, and other caring citizens how to help an adolescent (age 12-18) who is experiencing a mental health or addictions challenge or is in crisis. Youth Mental Health First Aid is primarily designed for adults who regularly interact with young people. The course introduces common mental health challenges for youth, reviews typical adolescent development, and teaches a five-step action plan for how to help young people in both crisis and non-crisis situations. Topics covered include anxiety, depression, substance use, disorders in which psychosis may occur, disruptive behavior disorders (including AD/HD), and eating disorders. This program is facilitated by a licensed counselor and supported by the Mahoning County Mental Health and Recovery Board and the Ohio Network for School Success.