Mental Health Resources to Area 5-8 Grade Students
By: Aprill Murphy
November 10, 2021: Boone County Health Center (BCHC) recently distributed mental health resources through the schools for students, parents and teachers in Boone and Nance counties.
BCHC received the Community Impact grant from Columbus Area United Way (CAUW) Endowment to implement a program that educates individuals of mental health concerns, specifically targeting 5th through 8th grade students.
With the help of the Columbus United Way Impact grant, Boone County Health Center, in partnership with area schools, will proactively educate students, parents and staff in recognizing the early signs and symptoms of mental health concerns. The goal of the program is to take action before an issue reaches a state of emergency or suicide.
Tools such as comic books that address coping with mental health and addiction, along with pocket journals, will be given to students. Crisis help fliers with phone, text and website information will be placed in high-traffic areas as an avenue for students to reach out for help. Magnets and education will be provided to parents in an effort to recognize early signs of depression or anxiety and provide them with numbers to call for parental assistance.
The grant was available to those residing in the CAUW service area which includes Boone and Nance counties. Area schools eligible are Boone Central, Saint Michael’s, Saint Edward, Riverside and Fullerton.
The purpose of the Community Impact Grant, established in 1996, is to provide health and human service agencies and organizations an opportunity to seek funds for immediate and creative responses to the most pressing human needs in the area of education, income and health. One of their pillar goals is related to health and more specifically mental health in recent years.
BCHC has two full-time social workers. If you or a loved one is struggling, it is free to call our social work department at 402-395-3109. They can direct you to the appropriate resources to fit your needs and situation.