School-Based Mental Health & Wellbeing
Creating a House that Smiles
Our Philosophy
Our School-Based Mental Health (SBMH) model started with a general focus on simply “being with” young people in their natural habitat. Great emphasis was placed on hanging out with kids, showing interest in their lives, their feelings, their histories, and their personalities. Young people are perpetually in a state of expression. Their words, actions, likes/dislikes, reactions, responses, dreams, etc. are all a reflection of who they are, are in the process of becoming, and wish to become. By nature, kids want and need the stewardship of adults, and also by the same nature are confronted by the responsibilities, boundaries, and limits that adults provide. Nevertheless, they need the combination of these two forces to thrive. This understanding and thinking style has proven to be the most effective way to organically cultivate a school culture and climate that genuinely reflects compassion and support while fostering the four habits of lifelong learning: Resilience, Empathy, Critical Thinking, and Creativity.
Our goals are to:
Strengthen our capacity to provide prevention, intervention, and postvention (at all three tiers of service) in the form of meaningful student involvement and interaction - responding more positively to student need with an emphasis on working with students as opposed to working for them.
Create and promote a positive school culture and climate based on cultivating and sustaining healthy, secure, and attuned adult-student relationships that contribute to and nurture our student-centered school “family.”
Provide resources, suggestions, and information that will help our community maximize resilience and emotional well-being at this important time and beyond.
School-Based Mental Health Services
Mental Health & Wellness Virtual Speaker Series
Coming Soon!
New in the 2020-2021 school year, the School-Based Mental Health Team is developing a Mental Health & Wellness Speaker Series to connect with the community, share vital information and open a dialogue about mental health.
The format for this first program is a pre-recorded video presentation and panel discussion with an emphasis on the four habits of lifelong learning .
Parents will receive a link to the video, and it will be posted on our speaker series page at the link below.
Important Phone Numbers & Websites
Emergency/Crisis Hotlines
If you or a family member are experiencing the signs or symptoms of a mental illness or feel you are in crisis, please call 911 for immediate assistance or call 201-262-HELP (4357). Crisis counselors are available 24/7 to guide you through the next steps of getting help.
Care Plus Children's Mobile Response & Stabilization System (24/7): 877-652-7624
Bergen County Psychiatric Emergency Screening Program (24/7): 201-262-HELP
National Hopeline Network - Suicide Prevention: 1-800-SUICIDE
Runaway Hotline: 1-800 RUNAWAY
Youth Crisis Hotline: 800-448-4663
United Way Hotline: 2-1-1
Bergen County Dept of Health Services: 201-634-2600
Bergen County & Community Mental Health Agency Contacts
Call 211 - United Way Community Response Hotline - when you don't need 911
Bergen New Bridge Medical Center: 201-967-4000
Fair Lawn Mental Health Center: 201-767-2660
Care Plus, NJ: 201-265-8200
West Bergen Mental Healthcare: 201-444-3550
Children's Aid & Family Services: 201-445-7015
High Focus Centers: 201-291-0055