Mental Health Resources
Updated: March 04, 2026
Updated: March 04, 2026
Mental Health Resources
Reaching out for help is the right thing to do - YOU ARE NOT ALONE!
According to the World Health Organization, "mental health is a state of mental well-being that enables people to cope with the stresses of life, realize their abilities, learn well and work well, and contribute to their community. It is an integral component of health and well-being that underpins our individual and collective abilities to make decisions, build relationships and shape the world we live in. Mental health is a basic human right. And it is crucial to personal, community and socio-economic development.
Mental health is more than the absence of mental disorders. It exists on a complex continuum, which is experienced differently from one person to the next, with varying degrees of difficulty and distress and potentially very different social and clinical outcomes.
Mental health conditions include mental disorders and psychosocial disabilities as well as other mental states associated with significant distress, impairment in functioning, or risk of self-harm. People with mental health conditions are more likely to experience lower levels of mental well-being, but this is not always or necessarily the case."
Specifically, adolescence is a crucial period for developing social and emotional habits important for mental well-being. These include adopting healthy sleep patterns; exercising regularly; developing coping, problem-solving, and interpersonal skills; and learning to manage emotions. Protective and supportive environments in the family, at school and in the wider community are important.
Multiple factors affect mental health. The more risk factors adolescents are exposed to, the greater the potential impact on their mental health. Factors that can contribute to stress during adolescence include exposure to adversity, pressure to conform with peers and exploration of identity. Media influence and gender norms can exacerbate the disparity between an adolescent’s lived reality and their perceptions or aspirations for the future. Other important determinants include the quality of their home life and relationships with peers. Violence (especially sexual violence and bullying), harsh parenting and severe and socioeconomic problems are recognized risks to mental health.
Some adolescents are at greater risk of mental health conditions due to their living conditions, stigma, discrimination or exclusion, or lack of access to quality support and services. These include adolescents living in humanitarian and fragile settings; adolescents with chronic illness, autism spectrum disorder, an intellectual disability or other neurological condition; pregnant adolescents, adolescent parents, or those in early or forced marriages; orphans; and adolescents from minority ethnic or sexual backgrounds or other discriminated groups.
Southmoreland School District’s school board, administration and staff would like to offer helpful resources for families and students who have concerns and/ or questions regarding the mental health of their children. Whether you are seeking in-school support or looking for outside services and resources, we are happy to help.
Reach out to your child's school counselor to explore appropriate options and steps. If you have questions about accessing help and/or school counseling services, contact information is below:
Mrs. Lauren Dillon Mrs. Keera Miller
Last Name: A-K Last Name L-Z
(724) 887-2017 (724) 887-2048
dillonl@southmoreland.net millerk@southmoreland.net
RESOURCES
Below is a list of resources that may be of help. As always, please do not hesitate to reach out to your child's school counselor for further assistance!
Help Guide This non-profit organization provides information to improve mental health and make healthy changes.
National Suicide Prevention Hotline - 800-273-8255 or 988 This hotline provides 24/7 free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention materials, and crisis resources for you or your loved ones. For more information call or visit suicidepreventionlifeline.org. An online chat feature is also available at safespace.vibrant.org
NEDA (National Eating Disorder Association): (800)-931-2237 (call or text). Contact the NEDA Helpline for support, resources, and treatment options for yourself or a loved one who is struggling with an eating disorder. Helpline volunteers are trained to help you find the support and information you need (listen to your concerns, provide information on eating disorders, help you locate professional help, and explore support options).
PA Childline - 1-800-932-0313
Trained specialists are available 24/7 to receive referrals of suspected child abuse and general child well-being concerns.
Safe2Say Something - 1-844-723-2729
Anonymous reporting system that makes it easy and confidential to report safety concerns to help prevent violence and tragedies.
For Parents: How to Help Kids Talk About Their Mental Health
For Students: Advice for Talking About Mental Health
Going Online: A Double-Edged Sword
Helping Children and Teens Manage Stress
Crisis Help
Mental health crises can range from risk of suicide to rapid mood swings, abusive behavior, inability to perform daily tasks, paranoia, and/or loss of touch with reality.
If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, please reach out for help.
Call 911: If someone is in immediate danger, call 911.
Call 988: Get connected to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline by dialing 988.
Text TALK to 741741 Text with a trained Crisis Counselor. This line is free and available 24/7. Every text is connected with a trained Crisis Counselor, a person trained to bring texters from a hot moment to a cool calm through active listening and collaborative problem solving. For more information, text or visit crisistextline.org
Fayette County Crisis Hotline: 724-437-1003 (Fayette County Crisis Hotline)
Westmoreland County Crisis Hotline - 1-800-836-6010
The Crisis Hotline is available 24/7 to provide assistance for Westmoreland County individuals in crisis or for individuals seeking assistance for another person in crisis. The Hotline is answered by a trained crisis worker who will assist with support and information about further services, if needed. The Hotline service provides assistance in clearly identifying the crisis, support for people in crisis, information and resources on community services, and treatment providers.