Broaching the topic of mental health, particularly with children, can be a challenging endeavor. In an effort to alleviate this difficulty, school officials in Loudoun County, Virginia, are taking proactive steps to empower parents with resources aimed at fostering open dialogues about wellness.
Loudoun County Public Schools has teamed up, an organization dedicated to offering complimentary coaching services for parents seeking guidance on navigating discussions surrounding mental health with their children.
Jennifer Rojas, the senior impact manager at the Cook Center for Human Connection, which facilitated the collaboration between the school system and ParentGuidance, emphasized the importance of equipping parents to tackle these conversations confidently. She noted, “If a child comes home with a scraped-up elbow because they fell off their bike, most parents know what to do… but when it comes to those mental health issues — parents often don’t know what to do, or how to react or what to say.”
Website hosts on-demand courses covering various topics such as anxiety, bullying, and suicide prevention, which are accessible to anyone. Through the partnership, however, Loudoun County parents will also gain access to personalized parenting coaches at no cost.
Rojas highlighted the inclusivity of the program, stating, “Any family member, being a parent, grandparent, foster parent, whoever it is that’s the trusted adult in the life of that child is eligible for a parenting coach at no cost to them.” These coaches can be reached via text, call, email, or in-person meetings, providing flexibility in seeking support.
The overarching goal is to empower parents to play a proactive role in safeguarding their child’s mental well-being, particularly for families facing barriers such as lack of insurance or lengthy wait times for therapy appointments.
In addition to supporting parents, extends its services to educators, recognizing the importance of prioritizing mental health among school staff to prevent burnout and compassion fatigue. Rojas emphasized the significance of self-care for teachers, stating, “When you are always constantly giving and if your cup becomes empty and you have nothing to pour from — that’s teacher burnout.”
This initiative extends beyond Loudoun County, with ten other school districts across Virginia participating in the coaching program, signaling a widespread recognition of the need to address mental health challenges within educational settings.
