Mental Health and Related Services provides services to district educational teams including consultation and advice concerning student status, diagnosis, and treatments; collaborates with public and private agencies to offer mental health services and programs that foster pro-social skills and appropriate behavior; acts as a resource to Local Education Agency (LEA) staff members regarding mental health services; collaborates with behavior specialists and provides support in the development of behavior support plans; and supports foster care and homeless initiatives and efforts.

What Can Cause Mental Health Issues?

Source: SUN Behavioral Health

The study of the brain and the conditions that can form within it is ever-growing. Because of this, we still don’t know every answer to what exactly can cause certain mental illnesses, but we have narrowed down some of the causes. 

Genetics can play a big part in mental illness. Conditions such as ADHD, autism, and bipolar disorder are known to have genetic links within them. This means you could either be born with the condition already, or, in some cases, have a higher risk of developing it in the future. 

Some mental illnesses are developed over time from outside factors. The most common known causes for developing a mental illness later in life stem from physical or mental trauma. 

• Here are some conditions that can develop after experiencing a traumatic situation:

PTSD

Bipolar Disorder

Dissociative Identity Disorder 

Depression

Anxiety

What Are the Treatment Options for Mental Illnesses?

When looking into treatment for a mental illness, it’s important to know what options you have to choose from. Not every treatment plan works for every patient, so exploring your options will help you pick one that will fit best for you. There are a wide variety of options out there.

• Here is a basic breakdown of some of the most common treatment options:

Inpatient Services: Inpatient services offer a variety of treatment options, from individual sessions to group therapy to adding opportunities to try out new hobbies or exercises, with one key difference. Inpatient is when a person stays at a facility for a long period of time during their treatment, which can help them feel more stable or not have to worry about outside factors during their healing.

Outpatient Services: Outpatient offers the same programs as inpatient, with therapy, group therapy, and other activities, while letting the patient return home at night to continue to care for or be with their family. 

Medication: Medication is usually used in combination with another form of treatment. Medication can be used to help the individual manage the symptoms of their mental illness in order to better focus on healing. 

Counseling: This is the form of treatment most people think of when they imagine getting help for their mental health. Counseling, or what some people might just call “therapy,” is when you have one-on-one sessions with a professional in order to talk through what you’re experiencing. It can help you learn new skills and ways of thinking to help overcome your symptoms to lead a happier life. 

Group therapy: Group therapy is a great option for those who might feel alone in their situation, especially in regard to recovering from trauma or substance use disorders. It brings together those working to recover from similar situations and helps them learn how others grew. This kind of therapy also provides a support network for the patient to lean on and grow in. 

Alternative Treatments: Alternative treatments vary from wellness classes like meditation and yoga to retreats or equine therapy. If any of the above options don’t sound appealing to you, looking into alternative treatments can give you many more options for your recovery. 

Jerlene Gibbs, M.A, CSC, LPC-Associate #96573
Mental Health & SEL Coordinator

Sandzettra Biel
Mental Health & SEL Specialists For Elementary Schools 

Dr. Cayla J. Wheaton, Ed.D., LMSW, LCDCI
Mental Health & SEL Specialists for Middle Schools 

Kirsten Levine 
Mental Health & SEL Specialists for High Schools 

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