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Mental Health and Wellness

The Importance of Having a Mental Health Case Manager Coordinator in OCS:

According to the Center for Disease and Control Prevention (CDC), “Being mentally healthy during childhood means reaching developmental and emotional milestones, and learning healthy social skills and how to cope when there are problems. Mentally healthy children have a positive quality of life and can function well at home, in school, and in their communities.”

By providing the students of Orange County Schools with the tools, support, and resources to become mentally healthy, we are assisting them in their abilities to function and cope in our ever changing society. These steps in place are aligned to the OCS vision of, “preparing every learner for lifelong service and success.”

 

Goal of the Mental Health Case Manager Coordinator in OCS:

The goal of the Mental Health Case Manager Coordinator is to prioritize mental health and wellness for our staff and students in order to understand what struggles are present, and what supports are needed within our district (and work to put systems of support in place).

Roles & Responsibilities in Supporting Student Mental Health:

  • Oversee co-located therapeutic services

  • Oversee Student Mental Health Teams (middle & high schools)

  • Share resources/ agencies for students with school counselors & social workers

  • Offer Mental Health trainings/ professional development to school counselors & social workers

  • Provide in-person mindfulness & social emotional wellness (SEW) activities to students/ classes

  • Provide trainings/ workshops to students on mental health, wellness, strategies, eliminating the stigma, etc.

  • Collaborate with classroom teachers on strategies and activities to support and advocate for student mental health

  • Provide one-on-one support/ check-ins with students

Roles & Responsibilities in Supporting Staff Mental Health:

  • Share monthly resources, agencies, tips, videos, etc. to staff

  • Provide in-person mindfulness & social emotional wellness (SEW) activities to staff/ schools

  • Provide trainings/ workshops on mental health, wellness, strategies, eliminating the stigma, etc.

  • Collaborate with administrators on strategies and activities to support and advocate for staff mental health.

  • Provide one-on-one support/ consultation with staff.

For any questions or concerns related to student mental health that cannot be addressed or resolved at the school level, please contact Daniel Kearns-Pickett, OCS Mental Health Case Manager Coordinator. Daniel.Kearns@orange.k12.nc.us or (919) 732-8126 Ext: 12420.

Mental Health & Student Support Services