Mental Health Training For School Employees

Mental Health Training For School Employees

New at six -- today we learned sheffield city schools is increasing it's mental health training to prepare employees to help students returning in the middle of the coronavirus pandemic.

Waay31's breken terry found out the exact actions the district's taking to help students navigate these difficult times.

Look live: the sheffield city school system used some of the cares act funding given to them by the state to add a mental health service coordinator here on campus.

Johnson- we are aware that our students, faculty, teachers, and the families of our students are facing increased anxiety and depression due to the pandemic.

Sheffield's new mental health service coordinator jacqueline johnson told me the coronavirus pandemic can impact students in a variety of ways.

Johnson- our families and students may have faced unemployment.

There might be a loss of jobs and increased strain on families financially on a family were also mindful that some of our students are going to be worried about returning to school and the fear that they might get someone in their family sick.

The school system is doing specific training with some teachers to recognize trauma related to covid and how to build relationships with students even if they are learning virtually.

Johnson- we are going to use a trauma informed approach.

We're going to focus on personal wellness were going to focus on creating wellness and stability and predictability because for so many of our students and families the year ended abruptly and that contributed to a change in routine.

This year the high school will have mable too.

She's one of the school systems emotional support animals.

Mable used to be in the elementary schools but she and her handler moved to the high school.

Box- she's trained to identify students who might be nervous or anxious and just her presence coming up and nudging the student possibly laying at their feet tends to alleviate some anxiety.

Look live tag: students will return to school here at sheffield in staggered days this coming monday.

In sheffield bt waay31.