OUR CORE BELIEFS
The Counseling Department at WSISD is committed to the West Sabine ISD's mission, vision and values. Our core beliefs are:
A positive school culture and climate is essential when establishing a constructive learning environment for all students.
All students can possess the ability to engage and interact with others in a healthy social manner.
Social-emotional skills can be learned by all students when explicitly and consistently taught, modeled and practiced.
Social-emotional learning embedded in a rigorous academic setting creates a safe and inclusive learning environment for all students.
Social-emotional learning is a necessary component to assist with the growth and development of all students.
GET IN TOUCHone | 817-299-194
The list below provides options for assistance 24 hours a day.
Bullying
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
Crisis Text Line
Text 741741
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Mental Health Support Line
Trevor Lifeline - Crisis Intervention and Suicide Prevention
1-866-488-7386
National Domestic Violence Hotline
1-800-799-7233
Rape Crisis and Victim Services
817-927-2737
You may also wish to visit the links below for additional resources and avenues for assistance:
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline - The Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals in the United States. (Please note, the previous National Suicide Prevention number 1-800-273-8255 will continue to function indefinitely. The new, shorter 988 phone number will make it easier for people to remember and access mental health crisis services.) 988lifeline.org
WS ISD Bullying
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Mental Health Support Line and Guidance - The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) launched a statewide mental health support line to help all Texans experiencing anxiety, stress or other emotional challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Harris Center for Mental Health and IDD operate the line, which is available 24/7 at 833-986-1919. Counseling services are confidential and free of charge.
Crisis Text Line - Through Crisis Text Line, individuals who need support from a trained crisis counselor can text 741741 to connect with a "real-life human being" that will help ease your anxieties.
The Dangers of Prescription Drugs - As communities around the country renew their focus on the dangers of prescription drugs, parents are not alone and there are many free resources available. Learn why teens are abusing prescription drugs, the signs and symptoms of abuse, and which drugs are more frequently abused here.
Emotional Wellness During COVID-19 - The constant coverage of COVID-19 can cause stress, fear and anxiety in students and families. To help lessen anxiety and provide reassurance, the Guidance & Counseling Department has developed a helpful list of resources. Download it here.
Friend for Life Hotline - Friends for Life works in conjunction with Crime Stoppers to allow students to make anonymous calls regarding problems that their friends are having that could be harmful to their health and safety. When a student makes a report, it is sent to the police, Student Services and Guidance & Counseling departments within the District for follow-up during regular school hours. You can call 817-469-TIPS (8477), text "TIP117 Plus Your Message" to 274637, or live chat at www.469tips.com.
Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) | The Power of Parents and the Power of You(th) programs - Parents are a youth’s leading resource when it comes to making healthy choices. Youth also can play a pivotal role in underage prevention because they can stand up as the leaders who make it “ok” to say no to alcohol. The Power of Parents helps use the power they have to keep their kids safe through ongoing, critical conversations with their children about alcohol and other drugs. Through The Power of You(th), young adults not only learn why it is important to stay away from alcohol and other drugs, but they also learn real life strategies.
Military OneSource (www.MilitaryOneSource.com), a Department of Defense program, provides free help and information, 24/7, to service members and their families on issues that affect them, including parenting and child care, the concerns of families of children with special needs, budgeting and finances, consumer purchases, education, relationships, the cycle of deployment, and overall health and well-being.
National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN) - Provides resources and improves access to services for traumatized children, their families and communities.
For access to all child trauma resources by type, language and audience, View the NCTSN Resources webpage.
Net Cetera: Chatting with Kids about Being Online - Net Cetera is a guide for parents, teachers and other mentors with practical tips to help kids navigate the online world safely. Net Cetera covers a variety of topics – from cyberbullying to file-sharing – as well as where to go for more information and issues to raise with kids about living their lives online.
See It and Stop It: Teen Action Campaign – Created by teens to help prevent relationship violence, the See It, Stop It website offers information on recognizing and stopping abuse. The campaign's main premise is to help those who may be aware of domestic violence help victims of abuse.
Talk early. Talk often. Get others involved – An Underage drinking prevention campaign - Sponsored by Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Association, the campaign’s main focus is to help parents have open and ongoing conversations with their preteen and teen children about the dangers of underage alcohol use. The campaign includes public service announcements and a web site with additional materials. Access www.underagedrinking.samhsa.gov.
Talking to Children: When Scary Things Happen (en Español) - When scary or violent things happen in the world, youth look to the adults that surround them to help them feel safe and understand what is happening.
Talking to Teens: When Violence Happens (en Español) - When frightening or violent events happen in the world, teens look to their peers and the adults that surround them to help them feel safe and understand what is happening. (Tips for Talking to Students)
There are many areas of life that are stressful for both children and adults. Fear and anxiety can be overwhelming and cause strong emotions in adults and children. Coping with stress will make you, the people you care about, and our community stronger. But how can you relax despite worries? Here are some tried and true ways to relax:
Yoga
Not a yoga person? No need to start now unless you’d like to try it. Sometimes trying new things and discovering new activities you can benefit from and enjoy can be a welcome, healthy distraction. Yoga Studio and Pocket Yoga are good apps to consider. Here is a quick 5 minute Yoga for beginners video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d8QqXLV3tWM
Meditation
Regular meditation is very calming. Many apps teach simple forms of meditation, such as Headspace or Calm. Here is a good video to start you off with the basics of meditation.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JslvBcIVtDg
Controlled Breathing
One simple technique is called square breathing. Visualize your breath traveling along a square. As you follow the instructions to inhale, hold your breath, or exhale, count slowly to three on each side. Try it now Inhale up the first side of the square. Slowly count one, two, three. Hold your breath across the top. One, two, three. Exhale down the other side of the square. One, two, three. Then hold your breath across the bottom. One, two, three. After a few minutes of this you should be feeling calmer and more centered. (CDC)
Self-Care
Some of the bests ways to help cope are just simple self-care techniques:
Try to eat healthy, well-balanced meals.
Exercise regularly.
Get plenty of sleep.
Avoid excessive alcohol, tobacco, and substance use
Coping Strategies for Kids and Teens
Pathway to Success has a great site with many ideas for helping kids and teen deal with stress.
https://www.thepathway2success.com/coping-strategies/
24 hour Crisis Hotline 800-392-8345
*Family Crisis Center of East Texas
https://www.familycrisiscenterofeasttexas.com/
24 hour help line 800-828-7233
*Texas Department of Family and Protective Services
https://www.dfps.texas.gov/child_protection/
Report Abuse: 800-252-5400
*National Alliance on Mental Illness
24 hour help line 8009506264
Each month our students learn about a certain character trait, as outline by Texas Education Agency. Click on the trait to view a video concerning that trait!
August: Welcome to School! School Safety and School Pride
October: Responsibility
November: Gratitude
December: Good Citizenship
January: Fairness
March: Trustworthy
April: Integrity
May: Courage