Mental Health at School
Megan Munn, LPC
Bishop England High School
03/03/2023
Agenda
Meet the presenter
Statistics
Mandated Reporting
Confidentiality
What students want you to know
Mental Health First Aid
Signs of Suicidal Ideation
Buzz Words
Teachers’ Scope of Practice
Crisis or No?
Q & A
Meet the presenter
Megan Munn, LPC, M.Ed., Ed.S.
Megan is the licensed professional counselor (LPC) at Bishop England High School in Charleston. She received her Bachelors degree from Clemson University in Special Education and her Masters and Ed. Specialist degree from Clemson in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. She is an alumna of St. Mary’s (2005) and St. Joseph’s (2009) in Greenville. She previously worked at Our Lady of the Rosary in the Upstate and enjoys supporting students and families be the best versions of themselves.
8/05/20XX
African Proverb
The child who is not embraced by the village will burn it down to feel its warmth.
Think back to life before COVID…�
Common Diagnoses
(Between 2016-2019, the most common diagnoses in children ages 3-17)
Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (9.8%)
Autism Spectrum Disorder
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (9.4%)
Intermittent Explosive Disorder
Major Depressive Disorder & Dysthymia (4.4%)
Oppositional Defiant Disorder
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
“Behavior problems” (8.9%)
Most Treated Disorders
8 in 10 children received treatment for depression
6 in 10 children received treatment for anxiety
5 in 10 children received treatment for behavior disorders
Call 1-888-CARE4US (1-888-227-3487)
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All education professionals are mandated reporters: teachers, counselors, principals, and school attendance officers
Must report abuse or neglect when there is reason to believe that a child’s physical or mental health has been adversely affected by abuse or neglect.
Must not have “conclusive proof”- we are NOT investigators
Failure to report is a misdemeanor and possible loss of licensure
If you are uneasy about calling, your school counselor can help!
Mandated Reporting
Call 1-888-CARE4US (1-888-227-3487)
Oftentimes, reporting to DSS and law enforcement are necessary.
When the perp is child’s parent or guardian, report can be made to either DSS or law enforcement
When the perp is not child’s parent or guardian, law requires that a report to law enforcement must be made.
If making report to law enforcement, report must be made within the jurisdiction of where the crime took place.
Mandated Reporting
DSS does not remove children from the home!!!
Must be breached if…
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Confidentiality Concerns
What students want you to know about MENTAL HEALTH…
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Reacting Responsibly�Mental Health First Aid
~Don’t overreact. Stay calm.
~Be open-minded and LISTEN.
~ALWAYS BELIEVE THEM
~Thank them for sharing-Identify bravery
~No leading questions/investigations
~Take notes
~Remind them you are there to support/protect them (don’t make promises)
Telling the child that you are reporting is on a case by case basis.
To tell or NOT to tell?
Signs of Suicidal Ideation
Most concern when risk factors outweigh the protective ones
MEANS, PLAN, INTENT
When should you include parents?
Teen Suicide Prevention – YouTube
***Talking about suicide doesn’t increase the frequency***
Students in Crisis
Protective (Preventative) Factors:
Risk Factors:
Replace “commit” with “attempt” or “die”.
Tiers of Support:
Pediatrician
Psychiatrist
Pediatric Emergency Room
Depressed- “I hate myself”, “I’m not worthy of love”, “I’ve lost interest in things I used to love”
Self-harm- cutting, burning, throwing up, withholding food
Suicide/suicidal thoughts- “I don’t want to wake up tomorrow”, “I just want to die”, “Life isn’t worth living anymore”
Traumatic experiences- victim/witnessing a crime, witnessing someone die or be hurt badly, surviving a natural disaster, thinking one is going to die, bad car crash, etc.
Sexual assault, rape, molestation, groping, grooming
Teachers’ Scope of Practice
Report to counselor, principal, social worker concerns
Do not attempt to provide therapy
But what about being a person that the students trust and come to!?
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“You shouldn’t go through life with a catcher’s mitt on both hands; you need to be able to throw some things back.”
~Maya Angelou
Crisis or No?
Jennifer has shown up in your classroom at lunch complaining of an upset stomach. She stated that she hasn’t felt well all day and she didn’t eat breakfast. Upon further chatting, you identify that Jennifer’s long-time boyfriend broke up with her last night in a text message.
How do you respond to your student?
What do you do with the information?
What is your level of urgency to act?
Crisis or No?
You have worked hard to form relationships with your students. Jason has confided in you regarding things that go on at home. He showed you bruises on his wrist and neck that he claims came from him getting in between his parents during one of their weekly physical scuffles.
How do you respond to your student?
What do you do with the information?
What is your level of urgency to act?
Crisis or No?
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You have noticed that your brightest student has not been performing at her highest potential lately. She puts her head on her desk during class and doesn’t participate in class discussions like she used to. When you ask her if she’s OK, she says, “Leave me alone and mind your business”.
How do you respond to your student?
What do you do with the information?
What is your level of urgency to act?
Crisis or No?
A teacher email to clinician:
In a personal response to a reading section, a student asked if it was a sin/immoral to not like oneself. I told her it was not a sin, but definitely a sign that something was “off” internally and could be a sign of mental health struggles or spiritual wounds/misunderstandings. I wrote more to her and encouraged her to seek some help/guidance if it is she who feels this way about herself. However, I was wondering if this was something I should “report” to you?
Thank you
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Q & A
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Resources
Department of Mental Health
Mobile Crisis Unit
National Suicide Hotline: 988
Local emergency room
CONFERENCE PRESENTATION
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