The Governing Board recognizes that students' emotional well-being and mental health contribute to their ability to perform to their full academic and personal potential. The Superintendent or designee shall develop strategies and services to build students' resiliency skills, help students cope with life challenges, and reduce the stigma associated with mental illness.
The Superintendent or designee shall consult and collaborate with school-employed mental health professionals, the county mental health department, psychologists and other health professionals, social workers, and/or community organizations to strengthen local mental health services and develop and implement an integrated plan to support student mental health.
(cf. 1220 - Citizen Advisory Committees)
(cf. 1400 - Relations Between Other Governmental Agencies and the Schools)
To the extent possible, the district shall focus on preventive strategies which increase students' connectedness to school, create a support network of peers and trusted adults, and provide techniques for conflict resolution. The district shall investigate and resolve any complaint of bullying, intimidation, harassment, or discrimination in accordance with law and district policy.
(cf. 0410 - Nondiscrimination in District Programs and Activities)
(cf. 1312.3 - Uniform Complaint Procedures)
(cf. 5131.2 - Bullying)
(cf. 5137 - Positive School Climate)
(cf. 5145.3 - Nondiscrimination/Harassment)
(cf. 5145.7 - Sexual Harassment)
The district shall provide instruction to students that promotes their healthy mental, emotional, and social development. Health education courses shall be aligned with the state content standards and curriculum framework and shall include, but not be limited to, instruction related to identifying signs of depression and self-destructive behaviors, developing coping skills, and identifying resources that may provide assistance.
(cf. 6142.8 - Comprehensive Health Education)
The Superintendent or designee shall provide school staff with information and training to recognize the early signs of an emerging mental health condition, identify risk factors and warning signs of suicidal intent, respond to students who have been impacted by traumatic stress, and link students with effective services and supports. Such information may also be provided to parents/guardians and families.
(cf. 1312.1 - Complaints Concerning District Employees)
(cf. 4131 - Staff Development)
(cf. 4231 - Staff Development)
(cf. 4331 - Staff Development)
(cf. 5141.52 - Suicide Prevention)
The Superintendent or designee shall develop a protocol for identifying and assessing students who may be suffering from an anxiety disorder, depression, eating disorder, or other severe or disabling mental illness. The Superintendent or designee may establish districtwide or school-site crisis intervention team(s) to respond to mental health concerns in the school setting.
A school counselor, school psychologist, or school social worker may provide mental health counseling to students in accordance with the specialization(s) authorized on the individual's credential. As needed, students and their parents/guardians may be provided referrals to mental health services in the community and/or to mental health services at or near district schools.
(cf. 5141.6 - School Health Services)
(cf. 6164.2 - Guidance/Counseling Services)
If a student has an emotional or mental illness that limits a major life activity, has a record of such impairment, or is regarded as having such impairment, or may need special education and related services, the student shall be referred for an evaluation for purposes of determining whether any educational or related services are required in accordance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act or the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, as applicable. (Education Code 56301-56302; 29 USC 794; 28 CFR 35.108)
(cf. 6164.4 - Identification and Evaluation of Individuals for Special Education)
(cf. 6164.6 - Identification and Education Under Section 504)
The Superintendent or designee shall explore potential funding sources for district programs and services that support student's mental health. In accordance with local plans and priorities, the district may apply to the county for grants for prevention and early intervention activities that are designed to prevent mental illness from becoming severe and disabling and to improve timely access for underserved populations.
Legal Reference:
EDUCATION CODE
215-216 Student suicide prevention
234.6 Posting suicide prevention policy on web site
32280-32289.5 Comprehensive safety plan
49060-49079 Student records
49600 Responsibilities of school counselors
49602 Confidentiality of student information
49604 Suicide prevention training for school counselors
56171 Duty to identify and assess children in private schools who need special education services
56300-56385 Identification, referral, and assessment for special education
WELFARE AND INSTITUTIONS CODE
5698 Emotionally disturbed youth; legislative intent
5840-5840.8 Prevention and early intervention programs
5850-5886 Children's Mental Health Services Act
UNITED STATES CODE, TITLE 20
1400-1482 Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
UNITED STATES CODE, TITLE 29
794 Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Section 504
CODE OF FEDERAL REGULATIONS, TITLE 28
35.101-35.190 Nondiscrimination on the basis of disability
CODE OF FEDERAL REGULATIONS, TITLE 34
34 CFR 300.1-300.818 Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
Management Resources:
CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION PUBLICATIONS
Health Education Content Standards for California Public Schools, Kindergarten Through Grade Twelve, 2008
Health Framework for California Public Schools, Kindergarten Through Grade Twelve, 2019
CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION PUBLICATIONS
School Connectedness: Strategies for Increasing Protective Factors Among Youth, 2009
NATIONAL CHILD TRAUMATIC STRESS NETWORK PUBLICATIONS
Child Trauma Toolkit for Educators, 2008
WEB SITES
American Association of Suicidology: http://www.suicidology.org
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention: https://afsp.org
American Psychological Association: http://www.apa.org
American School Counselor Association: https://www.schoolcounselor.org
California Department of Education, Mental Health: http://www.cde.ca.gov/ls/cg/mh
California Department of Health Care Services, Mental Health Services: http://www.dhcs.ca.gov/services/MH
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Mental Health: http://www.cdc.gov/mentalhealth
National Association of School Psychologists: https://www.nasponline.org
National Child Traumatic Stress Network: https://www.nctsn.org
National Council for Behavioral Health, Mental Health First Aid: https://www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org
National Institute for Mental Health: http://www.nimh.nih.gov
Suicide Prevention Lifeline: https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org
Suicide Prevention Resource Center: https://www.sprc.org/about-suicide
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration: http://www.samhsa.gov
Policy WOODLAKE UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
adopted: July 8, 2020 Woodlake, California