Mental Health Training: Empowering Educators to Assist Students
Mental Health Awareness for Educators
ODESSA, Texas (KMID/KPEJ) – On Monday, November 4, while Ector County Independent School District students took the day off, more than 1,800 teachers came together at Odessa High School for a critical staff development day focused on mental health training.
Addressing Mental Health Challenges
During this event, teachers were trained to recognize and assist students facing mental health challenges. Taylor Roy, Executive Director of Guidance Counseling and Wellness at ECISD, noted the importance of this training as mental health issues for children have noticeably increased since the pandemic. Roy stated, “After the pandemic, we've noticed that many students and families are struggling to cope with daily life.”
- Suicidal ideation and attempts
- Basic stress and anxiety
- Coping strategies
As part of House Bill 3, this training aims to prepare educators ahead of the 2028 mandate requiring all teachers working with students to receive research-based training from the National Council for Mental Well-being.
Recognizing the Need for Support
Dalia Ramirez, a Mental Health Training Specialist with Permiacare, highlighted that “one in five children are currently struggling with mental health or substance use.” With classes often containing around 30 students, teachers need to identify which students may be among those affected.
- Recognizing mental health challenges
- Utilizing resources for support
- Implementing procedures during crises
The ECISD training event was one of Texas' largest initiatives focused on mental health awareness, with future sessions planned for educators who were unable to attend. As Roy expressed, “We aim to provide resources for teachers so they can support students effectively.”
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