​Reasons to Involve the Mental Health Team:

General concern about a students behavior, mood or affect

Indicators may include:

Decline in grades

Decline in attendance

Increased irritability

Increased withdrawal within the classroom

Increased withdrawal from sports or activities.

​​Issues Needing Immediate Attention:

If a student reports the following information,

he or she should be referred to the Student Services Department immediately.

Suicidal comments

Comments mentioning plan, idea or intention

Comments including loss of hope, despair, "there is no point"

Homicidal comments

Comments mentioning specific people, places

Reports of Abuse/Neglect

Please let us know when you make your mandated reporter calls to DCFS or if you need support making the phone call

Supportive Action When Students Feel Anxious

Model Calmness

Carve a few minutes out of the day to practice self-care and breathing to manage your own stress.

Maintain Normalcy

Consistency to routines is key.

Listen Actively & Validate Feelings

See empathetic listening tips below!

Help Sit With Anxiety

Instead of avoiding feelings of anxiety, help the student to verbalize their feelings.

Help Practice Relaxation Strategies

Find breathing strategies in the coping skills section of this website!

Tips for Empathetic Listening

Be attentive, interested, and alert.

Be a sounding board.

Validate the student's feelings and AVOID using phrases like "It's not that bad," or "You'll feel better tomorrow."

Show you are listening by:

• Providing brief, noncommittal acknowledging responses (e.g., "Uh-huh," or "I see").

• Giving nonverbal acknowledgements (e.g., head nodding, facial expressions, eye contact).

• Inviting them to say more (e.g., "Tell me about it," or "I'd like to hear about that").

• Reflect back to the speaker what you understand.