Wellness and Mental Health

Support for Social, Emotional, Mental, and Physical Health

The VHS Counseling Team supports the wellness and mental health of our students. Refer to the resources below including emergency and crisis resource contact information.

Quick Supports

Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741
Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: 988

Mental Health Minute Video Series - Leander ISD Counseling Services

In an effort to promote mental health awareness and reduce the stigma of seeking help for mental health concerns, the Leander ISD Counseling Services team is excited to debut a Mental Health Minute video series. The videos will be shared weekly through students' Class of 20XX Google classroom. We will also be including the Mental Health Minutes for each month within the VHS Counseling Newsletter.

The videos were written and recorded by Leander ISD Counseling Services team members. Some of the topics covered will include managing stress, healthy coping skills, staying grounded, talking about your feelings, making and building positive friendships, and how and when to ask for help. Each video ends with the reminder that “if you or someone you know is struggling, tell a trusted adult."

September Mental Health Minute Series

Mental Health Minute Launch with Dr. Gearing // English (September 5)

Building Connections // English, English & Spanish Script (September 12)

What kind of help can the school provide? // English, Spanish (September 19)

Self-Advocacy // English, English & Spanish Script (September 26)

October Mental Health Minute Series

Size of the Problem // English (October 3)

Why Mental Health is Important // English, Spanish (October 10)

Managing Conflict // English, English & Spanish Script ( October 17)

Mindfulness // English, English & Spanish Script October 24)

Ways to Chill // English, English & Spanish Script (October 31)

November Mental Health Minute Series

What is Therapy? // English, Spanish (November 7)

Tools for Managing Strong Emotions (Grounding Exercise // English, Spanish (November 14)

Is My Friendship Unhealthy? // English, Spanish (November 28)

December Mental Health Minute Series

Your Brain! // English, English & Spanish Script (December 5)

Failure and Disappointment // English, Spanish (December 12)

January Mental Health Minute Series

Being You // English, English and Spanish Script (January 2)

Boundaries // English (January 9)

What to Do if a Friend Needs Help // English, Spanish (January 16)

Self-Compassion // English, Spanish (January 23)

Circle of Control // English, English and Spanish Script (January 30)

February Mental Health Minute Series

How to Identify Your Support Network // English, English & Spanish (February 6)

How to Make Friends // English, Spanish (February 13)

What is Therapy? // English, English & Spanish (February 20)

Healthy Relationships // English, English & Spanish (February 27)

March Mental Health Minute Series

All bodies are good bodies // English, Spanish (March 6)

Stigma // English, Spanish (March 20)

One-way friendships // English, Spanish (March 27)

Mental Health Resources

HOTLINES // TEXTLINES

Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741
Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: 988

LOCAL AUSTIN MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCE CENTERS

Travis County

Austin Integral Care // 24-Hour Crisis Line and Mobile Outreach Team: 512-472-HELP (4357)

Williamson County

Bluebonnet Trails Community Services // 24-Hour Crisis Line and Mobile Outreach Team: 1-800-841-1255

Amare Outreach

Amare Outreach is a 501(c)3, student-led, non-profit organization that advocates for survivors of abuse and mental illness. Their mission is carried out in two ways: by providing an online platform for survivors to anonymously share their personal stories - our website; and by traveling to schools, churches and other organizations to host speaking events.
Check out their message here!

Reporting Suicidal Messages & Self Harm

Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death for individuals ages 10-34 years old according to the CDC. We can all help fight those numbers by educating ourselves about the warning signs of suicide and knowing how to get help for someone who may be having suicidal feelings. There are many different risk factors that may cause a person to feel this way. Below are some warning signs that you should be aware of. It is not a complete list due to the fact each person is unique and may show different warning signs. If you witness any of the following or have a concern, please report it immediately! We know that you may witness some of these warning signs on the weekends, at night, or some other time when a school counselor may not available so we have provided instructions in the pages below for how to report something when you are not at school.

How do I seek help for myself or a friend?

If you are at school, tell a counselor right away! Do not wait. The sooner we can help the individual, the better.
Report the concern through Anonymous Alerts. Remember to give us as many details as possible so we can act quickly.
If it is night, a weekend, during summer, or anytime you are not at school, call 911 or 988, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline!
You can also report self-harm and suicidal comments or photos on social media sites. See the pages below for specific instructions

WHEN IN DOUBT, REPORT IT TO SOMEONE.

Suicide Warning Signs

TALK // If a person talks about:
- - Being a burden to others
  - Feeling trapped
  - Experiencing unbearable pain
  - Having no reason to live
  - Killing themselves
BEHAVIOR // Specific things to look out for include:
- - Increased use of alcohol or drugs
  - Looking for a way to kill themselves, such as searching online for materials or means
  - Acting recklessly
  - Withdrawing from activities
  - Isolating from family and friends
  - Sleeping too much or too little
  - Visiting or calling people to say goodbye
  - Giving away prized possessions
  - Aggression
MOOD // People who are considering suicide often display one or more of the following moods:
- - Depression
  - Loss of interest
  - Rage
  - Irritability
  - Humiliation
  - Anxiety

How do I report if I see something concerning on Social Media?

Click on the links below for instructions on how to report on the different social media platforms. These suggestions are directly from the social media sites do not replace notifying an adult if you see a concern!

Mindfulness and Mobile Zen Den Activites

Mindfulness Activities

Visit our virtual VHS Mobile Zen Den space for students, staff and families.

"Being a teen can be really stressful! Mindfulness is a powerful way to handle stress, and live life more fully. Mindfulness is all about living fully in the present moment, without judgment, and with an attitude of kindness and curiosity. It’s about breathing, noticing what’s happening right here and now, sending a gentle smile to whatever you’re experiencing in this moment (whether it’s easy or difficult), and then letting it go. You can be mindful anytime, anywhere, no matter what you’re doing. It sounds simple, but it’s not always easy to do, especially when you are stressed! This website provides information, tools, and resources to help you get started." (Mindfulness for Teens)

Mindfulness Websites for Teens:

Stress Management

Stress is pressure or tension that a person is experiencing. A certain amount of stress in life is normal and healthy i.e. excitement, hitting a deadline

Constant Stress however, is damaging to your health. Please speak to an adult if you are concerned about your current stress or that of a friend!

Signs of constant stress:

Easily agitated
Feeling overwhelmed
Feeling bad about yourself, lonely, or depressed
Low energy
Insomnia
Nervousness and shaking
Headaches

** Please note: Symptoms can vary between people

Stress Management is key to feeling healthy and being productive academically and socially.

Here are some things to consider in order to reduce stress:

Breathe!
Manage your time
Connect with others
Talk about it
Take a "time out" to find your happy place
Get Active!
Take care of yourself: eat right, get some sleep, go out in the sunshine
Acknowledge when you've hit your limit

Resources:

Stress Management Cheat Sheet (from the University of Texas Counseling and Mental Health Center)

Study Skills

Tips for Academic Success:

Attend tutorials: check with your teacher first to see when he or she offers these, then sign up! Teachers usually have tutorials before school or during Pit. Sign up in the PIT portal or email your teacher to let them know you are coming. This not only helps your teacher plan, but also holds you accountable.
Form a study group: Get a group of friends who are also taking the same course and study together. Sometimes it helps you to understand a concept better when you explain it to someone else. PIT is a great time for this. Simply ask other students in your PIT class as long as it’s ok with your teacher.
Stay organized: Use a planning device of some sort. It can be a planner that you write it, an app, pictures you take of assignments with your phone, etc. You just need something that will help aid in helping you remember all that goes on in your day so you don’t forget the test or homework assignment that is coming up! Plan ahead so you are not up cramming the night before!
Speak with your teacher: Your teachers are here to help you. Talk to them if you are concerned about a concept, a test, project, etc.
Seek out more help if needed: Some subjects are more difficult than others to grasp. Many of your teachers can give you resources to access to aid in your understanding like using the online textbook or teacher website. Leander ISD endorses tutors from More than A Teacher who can personalize a tutoring schedule for you when you are stuck on a certain subject. There are other organizations out there as well that may be worth checking into.
Get involved: Students who are involved tend to balance their time and find personal confidence and gain peer support in their academics

Study Skill Resources:

Crash Course Study Skills

#1 Taking Notes

#2 Reading Assignments

#3 Memory

#4 Planning and Organization

#5 Focus & Concentration

#6 Procrastination

#7 Studying for Exams

#8 Test Anxiety

#9 Papers & Essays

#10 Exercise

Resources for Parents

Community

Counselors are here to support families the best we can. We want our families to know that there is assistance available regardless of the need. Where the school resources end, the community begins. The Community Resource Guide At a Glance offers a comprehensive list of services provided by our community for a variety of needs. If you are not able to locate a resource to assist you, contact your school counselor to assist you.

Leander ISD Resources

LISD Counseling Services Teams provide a range of supports for our students:

Provide short-term individual and group counseling with students and/or guardian(s)
Provide case management services
Conduct assessments and provide referrals to community agencies for mental health issues
Submit referrals to community agencies for basic needs assistance
Provide parenting support
Provide community outreach
Support for consultation with LISD school personnel
Support inter-agency collaboration and coordination
Facilitate crisis intervention
Provide training to campus staff on crisis systems and processes
Alcohol, tobacco, and other drug education programs in schools
Individual and small group counseling
Tobacco cessation classes for middle and high school students
Voluntary Drug Testing Program for middle and high school students
Substance abuse assessments