West Virginia Schools Boost Mental Health Services for Students

School districts across West Virginia are significantly enhancing mental health services aimed at supporting student well-being. This initiative involves a range of programs that address emotional and behavioral needs, with particular emphasis on creating a supportive environment within schools.

In Berkeley County, all schools now have a dedicated counselor and a structured counseling curriculum. According to Jessica Alfonso, the executive director of organizational development and student learning experiences, these resources are crucial for student success. “Every school has a counselor and they have a school counseling curriculum,” Alfonso stated. “They provide student support services to help students be successful in school. Key indicators of success are attendance, academics, and decreased discipline referrals.”

The Communities in Schools program plays a vital role in this strategy. It focuses on working with students and their families to develop healthy routines, primarily concentrating on improving attendance. “From my experience working with CIS, we helped coach parents on building nighttime and morning routines, encouraging students to get on the bus,” Alfonso explained.

Another critical component of Berkeley County’s approach is the implementation of restorative practices. Alfonso noted that last year, counselors and social workers received training on these concepts, which aim to repair harm and foster a safe classroom environment. “Our goal is to repair harm and make the classroom a safe and conducive environment,” she added.

In Jefferson County, the school district benefits from a dedicated social and emotional support team, led by Lee Ebersole, the director of social and emotional support. “We’re kind of unique among the counties,” Ebersole remarked, highlighting the interdisciplinary approach to student mental health. The county has allocated resources specifically for social, emotional, and behavioral health, supported by a community that recognizes these needs.

Ebersole also mentioned the Communities in Schools program’s role in bolstering mental health initiatives within Jefferson County. “Right now, we have 11 facilitators in the county and have doubled them up at the high school due to the number of students there,” he said.

Many school systems in the region operate a multi-tiered support system. Alfonso explained that if a teacher, parent, or counselor identifies a student requiring additional support, the Student Assistance Team intervenes. Initial interventions may include one-on-one check-ins or group therapy. If these measures do not yield results after six weeks, students may be recommended for services through Project Aware, which offers virtual therapeutic support.

Jefferson County also provides school-based therapeutic services through community partners. Ebersole emphasized the importance of navigating both the school system and community-based support, facilitated by a role known as the Service Options Specialist (SOS). This licensed counselor helps families identify appropriate services.

Feedback from the community regarding mental health programs in Berkeley County has been overwhelmingly positive, according to Patrick Patton, the coordinator of behavioral health. “We’ve had nothing but positive feedback regarding the mental health services in Berkeley County Schools,” Patton stated. “We have access to the students and are making sure barriers don’t stand in the way of families and kids getting mental health care.”

School nurses are also integral to the mental health framework. Ebersole noted, “There’s at least one counselor and nurse in every school. The school nurse is often the first line of defense in terms of mental health issues, so we’ve invested in that work.”

To further engage the community, Alfonso highlighted the importance of referral forms available on school websites. These forms allow community members to refer students for mental health support. Additionally, programs like Sources of Strength, a student-led suicide prevention initiative, empower students to identify their sources of strength.

Looking ahead, officials are eager to expand support services. Alfonso expressed a desire to create a coalition of therapy providers to offer in-person treatment, acknowledging that not all students are suited for virtual therapy. “What we’d really like to do is create a coalition of therapy providers for in-person therapy,” she said.

Ebersole added, “We do have a proposal before the county commission, and what we’re hoping to address with that is moving beyond the therapy space to not just focus on the child, but focus on the family as well.” He emphasized that while the primary concern remains the well-being of children, involving parents in therapy can also yield significant benefits.

The ongoing expansion of mental health services in West Virginia schools reflects a growing recognition of the importance of emotional and behavioral support for students. As these initiatives progress, they aim to foster environments where students can thrive academically and emotionally.