West Virginia Schools Enhance Mental Health Support for Students

School districts across West Virginia are significantly expanding mental health services aimed at addressing the emotional and behavioral needs of students. This initiative includes a variety of programs designed to create supportive environments in schools, ultimately leading to improved student outcomes in attendance, academics, and behavior.

In Berkeley County, every school is equipped with a counselor and implements a structured school counseling curriculum, according to Jessica Alfonso, executive director of organizational development and student learning experiences. She emphasized the importance of these services: “Every school has a counselor and they have a school counseling curriculum. They provide student support services to help students be successful in school.” Key indicators of success include improved attendance, enhanced academic performance, and reduced disciplinary referrals.

The Communities in Schools program plays a pivotal role in promoting healthy routines among students and their families. “This year they’re primarily focusing on attendance and getting students in the buildings,” Alfonso stated. The program assists parents in establishing structured nighttime and morning routines to encourage students to attend school regularly.

Restorative practices are another essential aspect of Berkeley County’s approach. Alfonso noted that last year focused heavily on training counselors and social workers in restorative concepts to create a safe classroom environment. “Our goal is to repair harm and make the classroom a safe and conducive environment,” she remarked.

In Jefferson County, a dedicated social and emotional support team enhances the district’s mental health initiatives. Lee Ebersole, director of social and emotional support, described their unique approach: “We have a dedicated social and emotional support team and we can take a pretty strong interdisciplinary approach.” The school district also benefits from community support, with a local levy earmarked for social, emotional, and behavioral health services.

The Communities in Schools program is similarly active in Jefferson County, with Ebersole noting the presence of 11 facilitators, particularly concentrated at the high school level due to high student numbers. Many of the school systems in the area utilize a multi-tiered support system for mental health. Alfonso explained, “If a teacher, parent, or counselor brings attention to a student needing more support, we first try tier one and tier two interventions, such as one-on-one check-ins or group therapy.” If further assistance is required after six weeks of monitoring, students may be recommended for services through Project Aware, which offers virtual therapeutic services.

Jefferson County also provides school-based therapeutic services through community partners. Ebersole highlighted the role of the Service Options Specialist (SOS), a licensed counselor who helps families navigate both the school system and community-based support.

Feedback from the community regarding these initiatives has been overwhelmingly positive. Patrick Patton, coordinator of behavioral health in Berkeley County, expressed satisfaction with the response: “We’ve had nothing but positive feedback regarding the mental health services in Berkeley County Schools.” He emphasized the importance of removing barriers to access mental health care for students and families.

School nurses are crucial to this support network, often serving as the first line of defense in addressing mental health issues. Ebersole pointed out that every school has at least one counselor and nurse, underscoring their roles in the overall mental health framework.

Alfonso mentioned additional ways community members can support students, such as utilizing referral forms available on school websites. Programs like Sources of Strength, a student-led suicide prevention initiative, also empower students to identify their personal sources of strength and resilience.

Looking ahead, district officials aim to establish a coalition of therapy providers for in-person treatment and broaden their support to include families. “We recognize that not all students are suited for virtual therapy,” Alfonso remarked. Ebersole added that the proposal before the county commission seeks to expand mental health services beyond the child to include family involvement in therapy, acknowledging the potential benefits for parents as well.

This comprehensive approach to mental health services in West Virginia schools reflects a strong commitment to the well-being of students and their families, fostering environments where all can thrive.