"When students come into school with mental health needs that aren't being met, it doesn't matter how good of a teacher I am or how great of a lesson plan I prepared. When their basic needs aren't being met, they aren't able to learn."
-Michigan High School English Teacher
Back to school and the holiday season is an exciting time, but it can also be nerve-racking. Being mindful about how to support mental wellbeing at this time of year can go a long way to make the experience smoother for both kids and parents. The Mental Health Coalition has a wonderful resource on mental well-being for parents and for children.
Each district in our CCISD (Copper Country Intermediate School District) has a BHAT. The main goal of this team is going through student referrals and creating a plan of action so no student "slips through the cracks." This may include, and is not limited to, a SAT (Student Assistant Team) meeting, establishing mental health services such as one-on-one in-school counseling, or group counseling.
Our local BHAT consists of both the K-5 Principal and 6-12 Principal, K-5 School Social Worker, 6-12 School Social Worker, and our Mental Health Professional through the CCISD. The BHAT meets every 2 weeks and a review with all Mental Health Professionals in-between. All information remains confidential within the BHAT.
If you are a LAS parent/guardian/staff member and have a student you would like to refer, you may fill out the BHAT referral form below.
TRAILS stands for Transforming Research into Action to Improve the Lives of Students and is a Social-Emotional Learning and skills-based curriculum. TRAILS is an evidenced-based CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy) and mindfulness practice that is supportive, strength and solution focused, and impact on meaningful outcomes: health, academic performance, social skills, and personal well being.
TRAILS utilizes a 3-tiered model of support. Tier 1 is universal meaning every student. Tier 2 is early intervention meaning appropriate students that need a little extra. Tier 3 support is crisis intervention.
We use TRAILS in the classroom for Tier 1 support and we also offer Tier 2 support in small groups focusing on more intensive needs such as depression and anxiety. These specific groups are only lead by mental health professionals. TRAILS also has Tier 3 support which is in suicide prevention and risk management.
We can choose to have the uncomfortable feelings, fears, depression, and the anxiety drive/be in control of our bus or it can be a passenger. By intentionally facing our fears and struggles, we can regain control over our lives. Who is driving the bus of your life?