Kings Local - district-departments

I am both humbled and honored to step into the role of the Social-Emotional Health Coordinator and to serve the district in meeting the social and emotional needs of our students as part of the #KingsStrong Plan. I commend the administration and Board of Education for recognizing the need for such a critical role.

Nearly 1 in 5 young people ages 13 to 18 have a current Mental, Emotional or Behavioral Disorder. One-half of all chronic mental illness begins by the age of 14; three-quarters by age 24. In a five year period, rates of severe youth depression have increased. I wish I could say that the mental health of our children is improving, but for a myriad of reasons, that is sadly not the case. Teachers cannot simply just teach their students, as the “invisible backpack” of social and emotional health issues show in our classrooms and buildings each and every day.

I am very excited about joining the Kings Family and unlocking our full potential as a district to enhance the social and emotional needs of our students! Although this role will include many opportunities, some of the main goals of the role include:

Act as point of contact for all mental health services as referred to the district for triage
Provide mental health consultation
Crisis Intervention (including screening for suicide and Threat Assessment, implement and cultivate the mental health component of the district’s Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) as written in the #KingsStrong plan through the use of data-based problem solving; integrating behavioral instruction and intervention.
Liaison between school counseling staff and community service providers/mental health partners throughout the district
Provide a Community Learning Series to students, staff, and parents
Professional Development for staff (Trauma-Informed Schools, Suicide Prevention, etc.)

Mental Health Resources

COVID-19 Mental Health Resources

COVID-19 Parent Letter

September is Suicide Prevention Month. Research shows that chronic loneliness, which many of us are feeling these days with stay-at-home orders - can translate to poor sleep, high blood pressure, greater risk of suicidal ideation, and even alcohol and drug use. Depression and anxiety have also increased in the months since the pandemic began. Know the signs and symptoms of mental health issues so that you can seek help for you or someone you care about. Free, confidential, and anonymous screening tools are available at www.MHAScreening.org to check in on symptoms and to find resources to help. Yesterday, our School Counseling team participated in the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS) assessment training, which allows for consistency across the district as well as with our local Cincinnati Children's Hospital.

Just like physical health, taking care of mental health struggles early can help to prevent more serious problems from developing in the future. If you are concerned that you or someone you know may be experiencing a mental health problem, it is important to act before Stage 4. Start the conversation. There are also serious signs that someone is in crisis and needs more immediate help. These include thoughts or plans of hurting oneself or another person. If you think a child or teen is in immediate danger of taking suicidal action, call the National Suicide Hotline at 1-800-273-TALK. Their trained crisis counselors can help you find local resources or suggest the next steps.

Local Resources: For mental health crises or emergencies, patients and families are encouraged to contact their current mental health provider first. This allows the mental health provider, who knows your child best, to provide support and direction. If your child does not have a mental health provider, and they are experiencing a non-life threatening mental health crisis, you are encouraged to contact the Psychiatric Intake Response Center (PIRC) at CCHMC 513.636.4124. The PIRC staff will help you to decide the most effective level of intervention for your child’s mental health crisis – which may include an urgent psychiatric assessment in the PIRC Bridge Clinic.

MRSS-Mobile Crisis Stabilization and Support

Mobile Response & Stabilization Services (MRSS) is a comprehensive program available to youth ages 0 to 21 and their families. MRSS staff meet with youth and families in person wherever they are to provide intensive services to address emotional and/or behavioral issues that require intervention.

How to reach MRSS

Call (877) 695-6333 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Crisis Hotline (Warren County) and Text Line:

If you feel that you or a friend is in a crisis situation and/or fearful of hurting yourself or others and there isn’t a caring adult you can reach right away, please our local crisis hotline at (877) 695-6333. The Crisis Text Line is also available by texting 4HOPE to 741741. Please take the time to put these as contacts in your phone. These crisis lines are operated 24/7, so please call or text anytime you have questions or concerns, day or night.

Resources to Support Your Child During Winter Break

12/17/2020

There has been an increase in stress, anxiety, and suicidal ideation among young people recently. Kings Social Emotional Health Coordinator, Kim Sellers has seen this increase and wanted to share with you some tips and contacts that could help you during Winter Break.

Going into the winter months can cause mental health challenges simply due to lack of sunlight, shorter days, and cold weather. Additionally, Seasonal Affective Disorder can affect individuals, as well. With the pandemic we have faced this year, quarantine, isolation, and grieving the loss of “normalcy” in addition to other losses, we have seen an influx of mental health concerns in our students.

If you recognize any of these warning signs contact your child’s school counselor to make a referral for treatment. For crisis needs, contact the numbers below. Additionally, a short video that discusses more about recognizing signs and symptoms of depression and anxiety during COVID is available here.

Crisis Support Local: Contact (877) 695-NEED (6333) or text 741741 and type 4HOPE or call 1-800-273-8255 when in crisis. Available 24/7.

How to reach MRSS
Call (877) 695-6333, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

No hablas inglés? Encuentra ayuda en el sitio web de Suicide Prevention Lifeline o llamada 1-888-628-9454.

If your child does not have a mental health provider, and they are experiencing a non-life-threatening mental health crisis, you are encouraged to contact the Psychiatric Intake Response Center (PIRC) at CCHMC 513.636.4124. The PIRC staff will help you to decide the most effective level of intervention for your child’s mental health crisis – which may include an urgent psychiatric assessment in the PIRC Bridge Clinic.

NOTE: Call 911 or go to the emergency department if you’re experiencing a medical emergency, a life-threatening mental health crisis, or are directed to go there by a medical provider.

Please contact Kim Sellers at 513.398.8050, ext. 10056 or ksellers@kingslocal.net if you would like to discuss resources and/or services to assist your child at this time. She can assist you with navigating those programs and resources or can determine if counseling might be necessary, either school-based or through an outpatient provider. Please don’t hesitate to reach out!

Beech Acres Staff

The Kings Local School District is fortunate to partner with Beech Acres Parenting Center to provide the District with therapists in each of our buildings.

Please click here to access our therapist contact and building information.

Beech Acres also provides a Parent Support Provider for the Kings District. Crystal Drake offers a free service to all parents and caregivers of Kings students in grades Pre-K-12. Crystal can help provide an emotional connection, providing parental support, sharing knowledge of local family opportunities such as parent engagement events and financial support, when needed.

Learn more about Crystal.

Departments

Social & Emotional Health Coordinator

Mental Health Topics

Suicide Prevention

Suicide Prevention Lifeline

Resources to Support Your Child During Winter Break

Beech Acres Staff