The holiday season, often a time of joy and celebration, can be particularly challenging for some students. With the winter break approaching, many students in Taylor County, West Virginia, will be out of school until the new year, leaving a gap in their usual support systems. In light of this, school officials are emphasizing the importance of mental health support and making sure resources are available to families during this time.
Dr. John Stallings, the Superintendent of Taylor County Schools, recently reminded students and their families that help is available, particularly during the holiday break, when the absence of the school environment may lead to feelings of isolation or increased stress.
Recognizing the Holiday Blues and Mental Health Challenges
As Dr. Stallings noted, the holiday season is often associated with “holiday blues,” a phenomenon where individuals experience feelings of sadness, stress, or anxiety. For students, these feelings can be exacerbated by the end of school routines, family pressures, or an increase in the financial and emotional challenges that often come with the holiday season.
“The holiday blues are a well-known phenomenon,” Stallings said. “Coupled with increased rates of depression and anxiety found in youths today, it becomes more critical than ever for families to know that there are people they can talk to and services they can utilize.”
Recognizing the importance of mental health, especially during times of increased stress, Taylor County Schools is putting a spotlight on the available resources that can assist families during this time of need.
HELP4WV’s Children’s Crisis and Referral Line
One key resource highlighted by Dr. Stallings is HELP4WV, which operates the Children’s Crisis and Referral Line. This helpline provides immediate support to youths and families struggling with feelings of distress or hopelessness during the holiday season. The service aims to connect families to essential behavioral health services, both for urgent crises and for ongoing non-emergency needs.
“The Children’s Crisis and Referral Line connects families and youths with crisis and non-emergency behavioral health services,” Stallings explained. “It’s a resource to help families navigate challenging emotional states, whether in crisis or needing support with everyday struggles.”
A Lifeline for Families and Youths in Crisis
In the event of a crisis, the Children’s Crisis and Referral Line offers immediate assistance. For more serious situations, the helpline can connect families with Mobile Crisis Response and Stabilization Teams in most areas of the state, which can respond in person or provide phone support to help de-escalate behavioral health crises.
In addition to crisis intervention, the helpline also provides access to non-emergency behavioral health services in the community. This includes counseling services, parenting support, and referrals for addressing mental health concerns, substance use, behavior issues, and more.
The Children’s Crisis and Referral Line is a service of the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources Bureau for Behavioral Health. It is funded through a federal grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and works to keep children and youths in their homes, schools, and communities. The goal is to prevent unnecessary hospitalizations, emergency room visits, or out-of-home placements related to mental health issues.
Encouraging Families to Utilize Mental Health Resources
Dr. Stallings emphasized the importance of taking care of children’s mental health, especially when they are away from the structure and support of school during the holidays.
“On behalf of the Taylor County Board of Education, I encourage individuals to utilize this resource whenever needed to maintain the well-being of our children and families,” he said. “It’s important for families to remember that there are support systems available and that they don’t have to face challenges alone.”
Conclusion
As the holiday season approaches, Taylor County Schools is committed to ensuring that students and their families have access to the support they need to navigate the mental health challenges that may arise during this time. Through resources like HELP4WV’s Children’s Crisis and Referral Line, families can find help for both crisis and ongoing support, ensuring that mental health remains a top priority even when students are out of school.
By making these resources available and encouraging their use, Taylor County Schools is reinforcing its commitment to the mental health and well-being of every student, recognizing that support doesn’t stop when school lets out.
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