Mental Health Skill Building is direct instruction for all students in the public education setting to build skills related to managing emotions, establishing and maintaining positive relationships, and responsible decision making.

Pursuant to TEC §38.351 Section (b) and Sub-section (c-2) each school district in Texas may select programs related to this area of mental health promotion and intervention, substance abuse prevention and intervention, and suicide prevention for appropriate implementation in the district. Resources related to this component of school mental health help students develop the skills necessary to support student academic success. Skill-building helps students strengthen their ability to understand and manage emotions, set and achieve goals, establish and maintain positive relationships, and make responsible decisions.

At Cedar Creek Elementary, each teacher starts their morning with this skill-building time through our district purchased curriculum, Second Step. As the school counselor, Miss Cavnar, visits each classroom every 3 weeks to further develop these skills and support the areas of interpersonal skills, personal safety, intrapersonal skills, and future endeavors.