Connect with the Counselor
Qushon Taylor-Bertram (Mrs.Q)
8th Grade School Counselor
Welcome 8th grade students and families! I am honored to serve as your grade level school counselor, as you usher in your final year as middle schoolers. As our world changes around us, let us find overwhelming joy as we gather this 2022-2023 school year. I truly wish that despite changes outside if our control we offer each other some grace, mercy and understanding. While acknowledging we truly are "all in this together".
Students, look for me in your classrooms, hallways, cafeteria and all round BHMS this year. And of course, my office (located in the Main office) door is always open to say hey, grab a snack, chill out or talk about whats on your mind and in your heart.
Think First Stay Safe (TFSS)
In February, we will be exploring the Teen Lures Prevention Program (part of the TFSS program) as a way to talk more about the importance of healthy relationships and its connection to personal safety. You may remember some of this information from elementary school but no worries, we will dive into the middle school version of this curriculum together! Parents, for more information, see Mr. Wiseman’s 1/27 eblast which will include THIS informational letter. Have questions or concerns? Reach out to Mrs. Q via email at qtaylorbertram@csdecatur.net
Need to Connect with the BHMS Counseling Team?
I am available to support you. Please connect with me by clicking on the link above and completing the form. I will respond to you within 48 business hours. If this is a mental health emergency, please reach out to a trusted adult, dial 9-1-1 or call the GA Crisis & Access Line at 1-800-715-4225. GCAL is available to you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and 365 days a year to help you or someone you care for in a crisis.
In CRISIS? There is always someone to help.
Crisis Text Hotline:
Text HOME to 741741 to connect with a crisis counselor
How it works: Text from anywhere in the US, anytime. Thus text line is for ANY crisis. Alive, trained crisis counselor will receive your text and will respond within seconds.
Call the Georgia Crisis and Access line at 1-800-715-4225 or download the MYGCAL app to text or chat with a caring professional.
How it works: Text from anywhere in the US, anytime. Thus text line is for ANY crisis. Alive, trained crisis counselor will receive your text and will respond within seconds.
The Trevor Project:
Provides crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to the LBGTQ+ students and young people.
How it works: Call the Trevor line at 1-866-488-7386, access TrevorChat via www.trevorproject.org, or access TrevorChat by texting START to 678-678 to connect with a counselor 24/7
What Does “Mental Health Problem” Mean?
Are you having trouble doing the things you like to do or need to do because of how you feel—like going to school, work or hanging out with friends?
Are you having a rough day? Have you been feeling down for a while? Everyone goes through tough times, and no matter how long you've had something on your mind, it's important that you talk to someone about it.
Talk to your parents or a trusted adult if you experience any of these things:
Can't eat or sleep
Can't perform daily tasks like going to school
Don't want to hang out with your friends or family
Don't want to do things you usually enjoy
Fight a lot with family and friends
Feel like you can't control your emotions and it's affecting your relationships with your family and friends
Have low or no energy
Feel hopeless
Feel numb or like nothing matters
Can't stop thinking about certain things or memories
Feel confused, forgetful, edgy, angry, upset, worried, or scared
Want to harm yourself or others
Have random aches and pains
Smoke, drink, or use drugs
Hear voices
How Common is Bullying?
According to stopbullying.gov, Nationwide, 19% of students in grades 9-12 reported being bullied on school property in the 12 months prior to the survey. HERE
The following percentages of students ages 12-18 had experienced bullying in various places at school:
Hallway or stairwell (43.4%)
Classroom (42.1%)
Cafeteria (26.8%)
Outside on school grounds (21.9%)
Online or text (15.3%)
Bathroom or locker room (12.1%)
Somewhere else in the school building (2.1%)
Approximately 46% of students ages 12-18 who were bullied during the school year notified an adult at school about the bullying.
Learn how to identify bullying and stand up to it safely. Become an Upstander!
Click HERE to find out what you can do to prevent Bullying!
Decatur Student Center
BHMS offers additional support services to our families and students through the Decatur Student Center located at Beacon Hill Middle School.
Meet our team (from left to right), Mrs. Fonta High (student center therapist), Mr. Jacob "JD" Dreiling (student center therapist), and Mrs. Sabrena Shields (BHMS student center counselor).
Click HERE to learn more!
News you can Use!
