In recognition of National Suicide Prevention Month, Ms. Kittelson and the students of PEER (Positive Experiences in Educational Relationships) came up with the idea to create a poster board with positive messages, written by fellow Titans. PEER is a specialized class in every Loudoun County Public Schools high school that is designed to develop students’ peer mentoring skills and help teach them how to assist their peers emotionally, socially, and academically. The program takes advantage of the influence young people can have on one other to promote healthy changes in attitudes and behaviors. Peer groups focus on areas such as bullying, healthy relationships, substance use, mental health, suicide, special needs populations, violence prevention, and community outreach efforts. To learn more about PEER, reach out to Ms. Kittelson, and be sure to check out their colorful display right outside the cafeteria!
During the end of September and beginning of October, the Unified Mental Health Team will be presenting the SOS Signs of Suicide Program to all 9th and 10th grade students during health and physical education classes. This program teaches students how to identify the signs of depression and suicide and what to do when a student needs help. The program uses the acronym ACT® (Acknowledge, Care, Tell) to help students remember what to do when they encounter someone who shows signs of suicide. The program also uses video clips to illustrate real life scenarios of students in need of help and the actions necessary to get help.
Meet Ms. Martin, our new school social worker!
How long have you been working at Dominion High School?
I have been working at DHS since 8/10/21
What does a typical day at DHS look like for you?
My typical day is generally busy, which I like. I meet w/ students, staff to help with problem solving and find/access resources. Soon I will be co-facilitating support groups for students regarding empowerment, positive coping skills, and stress management.
What is your favorite part about being a school counselor?
My favorite thing about being a school social worker is seeing the energy and vitality of the students and school community
What is one thing you are doing to take care of yourself?
One thing I do to take care of myself is listen to music, sing and dance
What are you looking forward to this year?
I am looking forward to making it through my first school year and having a long summer break 😊
A new study suggests that there is an upside down U-shaped relationship between free time and happiness, where people may be just as unhappy with “too much” free time as they are with too little.
When nearly one in five students is bullied each year, it’s no wonder the topic is on educators’ minds. To meet their needs, Learning for Justice put together an abundance of resources, including answers to frequently asked questions about bullying.
Most American students strive for a 4.0 GPA and the highest test scores, but research shows that this quest for perfection actually discourages creativity and reduces academic risk-taking. In this episode of “School Myths” by The Atlantic, Alice Roth investigates why grades aren’t everything when it comes to education.
National Bullying Prevention Month is a campaign in the United States founded in 2006 by PACER's National Bullying Prevention Center. The campaign is held during the month of October and unites communities nationwide to educate and raise awareness of bullying prevention. To learn more about this campaign's history and find ways to show your support, go to PACER's website, here.
Everyone occasionally has bouts of sadness, but these feelings are usually fleeting. When a person has a depressive disorder, it interferes with daily life and normal functioning. Not everyone experiences depression in the same way, but it can affect anyone at any time. So, it is important to take that next step and seek out professional help and be screened if you or someone you care about feels they may be depressed. Depression is a highly treatable condition with many different options available, but a professional should be sought out to help determine the best course of action for every individual that is suffering from it.
These weekly teen meet-ups hosted by the Ryan Bartel Foundation encourage connection, friendship, fun, and sharing for all teens. Enjoy icebreaker games, great discussions, and a challenge to help keep everyone motivated and get to know one another. Learn more and register here.
Each year, millions of Americans face the reality of living with a mental health condition. However, mental illness affects everyone directly or indirectly through family, friends or coworkers. That is why each year, during the first week of October, NAMI and participants across the country raise awareness of mental illness, fight discrimination and provide support through Mental Illness Awareness Week (MIAW). Learn more at the National Alliance on Mental Illness's website.
In this interactive workshop, parents will learn how the Sources of Strength program increases connection among students and provides hope, help, and strength to students. LCPS-certified trainers will provide an overview of the student-driven, upstream, evidence-based wellness module for improving mental health outcomes in schools and communities across the globe. Parents will participate in breakout sessions to gain first hand experience, and learn how to implement strength-based strategies at home. Registration is required via this link and limited to the first 100 participants.
Whether for heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes or depression, health screenings provide a quick and easy way to spot the first signs of serious illness and can reach people who might not otherwise seek professional medical advice. Like screenings for other illnesses, depression screenings should be a routine part of healthcare, as major depression is one of the most common mental illnesses, affecting 6.7% (more than 16 million) of American adults each year. To learn more and take an online screening, visit the Mental Health America website.
The National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMI) is the nation's largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to improving the lives of individuals and families affected by mental illness. NAMIWalks promotes awareness of mental health, raises funds for NAMI’s free, top-rated programs, and builds community by letting people know they are not alone. Join Lane's family and friends at the Cascades Community Center on his birthday for a memorial walk. To register or donate, click here.
The overall objective of World Mental Health Day is to raise awareness of mental health issues around the world and to mobilize efforts in support of mental health. This day provides an opportunity for all stakeholders working on mental health issues to talk about their work, and what more needs to be done to make mental health care a reality for people worldwide. Learn more at the World Health Organization's website.
Lindsay Orme, Ed.D., LCPS Social Emotional Learning Specialist, and SEL Consulting Teachers, Devon Becker and Meredith Miller, will introduce the five core competencies of social-emotional learning (SEL) and how SEL skills support academic learning and social development. Participants will explore the concepts and strategies taught through SEL and how they support learning across content areas. Choose from 1 of 2 sessions (9-10:30am OR 6:30-8pm). Learn more and register here.
National Health Education Week is focused on increasing national awareness on major public health issues and promoting a better understanding of the role of health education. Join the Society for Public Health Education (SOPHE) as it works to raise awareness of the importance of our future health education specialists in improving consumer health and wellness. Learn more at the SOPHE website.
FORTitude virtual teen workshops use evidence-led best practices in mindfulness and positive psychology to help teens develop a positive sense of identity and well-being. This series will focus on the value of one's mind, body, emotions, and relationships. No cost to participate, but donations are accepted; register here.
The FORT is a place for teens to connect, make friends, be themselves without pressure, and participate in workshops that help them deal with the stresses of everyday life. This month you may select 3 out of 4 workshops (Mindfulness, Meditation, & Movement; Origami; Art Therapy Experience; Canine Experience). The October workshop will take place at InMed Partnership for Children (21630 Ridgetop Circle Suite 130, Sterling, VA 20166) from 2-5pm. The cost to participate is $25. Learn more and register here.
PRS CrisisLink
703-777-0320
or
Text CONNECT to 85511
National Suicide
Prevention Lifeline
800-273-8255
En Español:
888-628-9454
Crisis Text Line
Text HELLO to 741741 to speak to a trained crisis counselor
The Trevor Project
866-488-7386
or
Text START to 678678
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