Sunday, September 1, 2024
Oglesby Independent School District provides various educational programs to students and extracurricular activities as well as different avenues for those who are in need of mental health services.
“Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being that affects how we think, feel, and act and is extremely important at every stage of life from childhood through adulthood,” Oglesby ISD Counselor Megan Nichols said. “It plays a vital role in a student's education and overall well-being while impacting many aspects of a student's life.”
Nichols expressed that the district is looking forward to offering Texas Child Health Access Through Telemedicine (TCHATT) mental health services for the second consecutive year as well as introducing a new program for their high school students, which is called the Youth Aware of Mental Health (YAM) program.
The YAM program is offered to all high school students at Oglesby ISD and is free of charge as well as confidential.
YAM is a five-session interactive program for high school students, which will take place in November. It is designed to improve understanding and awareness of mental health.
The Dell Medical School team at the University of Texas at Austin, also known as the YAM team, will lead each of the mental health sessions for the entirety of the program. The YAM team will provide students with an evidence-based curriculum that will focus on six main themes, which include What is Mental Health, Self-Help Advice, Stress and Crisis, Depression and Suicide Prevention, Helping a Friend in Need, and Who Can I Ask for Advice.
Students will develop problem-solving skills and build on emotional intelligence through lectures, discussion, and role-playing.
Nichols explained that students will be asked to keep any personal experiences and perspectives shared by other students confidential. They will also be encouraged to continue to discuss the topics and materials of YAM with friends, family, and teachers to further their understanding of mental health.
She said that the program empowers youth by teaching them how to seek help for themselves and their peers.
“Guardians and school staff can support our students by having discussions about mental health,” she said. “Helpful tips and conversations with students to discuss their thoughts and feelings about mental health and related topics are embedded within the curriculum provided by the YAM team.”
“Self-advocacy is an important part of the development of all students, especially when preparing for the next step after high school,” she said. “Self-awareness is the ability to recognize, understand, and label one's emotions, thoughts, and behaviors. It allows students to find who they are, build confidence, and make the best choice for themselves; reinforcing this helps our students identify and build upon their strengths, improve their weaknesses, concentrate on specific areas, and deal with the stress and pressure they face in today's world.”
“Our students already do an amazing job being team players and looking out for one another; with this program they will be able to practice seeking help for themselves and/or friends in difficult situations,” she said.
To learn more about TCHATT or YAM services, visit sites.utexas.edu/tchatt.
