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Mental Health Matters!
In such an unprecedented time, it is so important to consider our students' mental health. Currently, suicide is the second leading cause of death in 10-18 year olds across the Nation. Unfortunately, COVID has only exacerbated our students' level of stress.
The Alabama State Department of Education along with our State Legislators have recognized the important role mental health plays in student development and overall academic success. Therefore, the position of Mental Health Coordinator was created for Alabama school districts and 4.5 million dollars was given in grant monies to fund this position. Leeds has been one of the school districts to apply and be awarded these funds. We were excited to add this position to the Leeds City Schools in the Fall of 2020.
School District Mental Health Coordinators
Rachel Harper is a 2001 Leeds graduate. She received her undergraduate and graduate degree in Social Work from the University of Alabama. She is licensed by the Alabama Board of Social Work Examiners as a LICSW and has over 15 years experience.
Rachel and her husband returned to Leeds along with their three children in the Spring of 2017, after working cross-culturally with internationals in Atlanta for the previous five years. Other areas of experience include two years of school mental health and five years of nonprofit/community work. Rachel is passionate about children and teen mental health and is excited to grow mental health services for Leeds City School students.
Olga Zakrevskaya is a Master level Social Worker who got her undergraduate and graduate degree at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.
Though, Olga has earned her degree as of December 2023, she has 3 years of experience in child welfare, including a background of interning for a Child Advocacy Center.
Olga has been living in Alabama with her family since 2011. Previously to that, they resided in Russia. Olga has always had a passion for working with children and is excited to take on this role with hopes to bring new opportunities for the students of Leeds City Schools.
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