District Newsletter: Our Mental Health Team and Services for Students

Student mental health is one of the most consistently cited concerns among families, teachers, and administrators. When the district communicates clearly about who is on the mental health team, what services are available, and how families can access them, it reduces barriers and builds trust. Families who know help exists are more likely to ask for it.

Who Is on the Team

Our district mental health team includes school counselors at every school, school psychologists who serve multiple schools, and school social workers who connect students and families with community resources. In addition, we have partnerships with [local agency name] that provide on-site clinical support at [school names or levels]. Each member of the team has a specific role, and together they provide coverage from prevention to intensive support.

What School Counselors Do

School counselors provide short-term supportive counseling, facilitate group sessions on topics like social skills or grief, coordinate referrals to community providers, and serve as a first contact for families concerned about their student's emotional well-being. Counselors are not therapists in the clinical sense, but they are trained to identify when a student needs a higher level of care and to help families access it.

What School Psychologists Do

School psychologists conduct evaluations for special education eligibility, provide consultation to teachers about student behavior, support crisis response, and help schools design prevention programs. If your student has been referred for a special education evaluation or if your school has experienced a crisis event, the school psychologist is likely involved.

What School Social Workers Do

School social workers bridge the gap between families and community resources. If your family is navigating housing instability, food access challenges, or a need for mental health treatment beyond what school staff can provide, the school social worker is the right contact. They know the community resource landscape and can make warm referrals that actually result in services.

How to Access Support

The simplest path is to call or email your school's counselor directly. You do not need a formal referral or a clinical diagnosis. If you are worried about your student, that is enough. Counselors can meet with your student, meet with you, or simply check in with your student more frequently in class. Students can also refer themselves by stopping by the counseling office.

A Sample Newsletter Excerpt

"Every school in our district has a counselor available to students and families. You do not need an appointment to reach out. If you are concerned about how your child is managing stress, friendships, or their emotional well-being, call your school's counseling office. If you are unsure who to contact, our district website lists every team member and their direct contact information."

Privacy and Confidentiality

Student counseling records are confidential. Information shared in a counseling session is not included in your student's general education file without your consent, and it is not shared with teachers or other staff unless there is a safety concern. Families sometimes hesitate to seek support because they worry about stigma or privacy. Those protections are real, and saying so plainly in the newsletter removes one barrier to asking for help.

Crisis Resources

In addition to school-based support, every family should have access to crisis resources. The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is available by call or text 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The Crisis Text Line is reachable by texting HOME to 741741. Daystage makes it easy to include these resources with clickable links in every newsletter so families always have them at hand.