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Mental & Behavioral Health Considerations

At Woodward Career Tech High School, Molly Tannehill supports students in 10th and 11th grade.

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, some common mental health concerns for this age include: 

  • Depression 

  • Anxiety 

  • Grief 

  • Trauma 

School Counselors provide support for students facing mental health and behavior concerns through identification, advocacy, short-term counseling, and referral (ASCA, 2016).

Risk Factors

  • Difficult living conditions

  • Divorce 

  • Parent/Guardian incarceration

  • Discrimination based on ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, Disability, income, etc.

  • Lack of access to resources

  • Unplanned pregnancy 

  • Exclusion from peers 

  • Bullying 

  • Peer Conflict 

  • Eating Disorders 

  • Self-Esteem Issues

  • Suicidal Ideation

  • Experiencing/witnessing traumatic events

        (National Institute of Mental Health, 2019).

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Warning Signs 

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Common warning signs:

  • Lack of interest in things that they used to enjoy

  • Uncharacteristically low energy

  • Sleep too much or too little

  • Exhaustion

  • Isolation

  • Fear gaining weight; Excessive diet or exercise

  • Self-harm

  • Substance use 

  • Suicidal ideation

  • Significant changes in mood

  • Lack of motivation

  • Declining grades; any sudden change in functioning

  • Difficulty at home or community

  • Intense, frequent anger outbursts

  • Aggressive or non-aggressive consistent violation of rights of others; opposition to authority, truancy, thefts or vandalism

  • Trauma history, nightmares

  • Severe mood swings

  • Extreme lack of concentration

  • Inability to cope with activities, daily tasks

  • Strange thoughts, beliefs, feelings or unusual behaviors

  • Hallucinations

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Signs that are often missed:

  • Excessive shyness

  • Unrealistic expectations of self

  • Intense anxiety impacting functioning

  • Low academic performance

  • Sudden or gradual changes in functioning/presentation

  • Severe insecurity

  • Lack of hygiene

(Cincinnati Public Schools, 2021).

Under the Multi-tiered Systems of Support model, all students receive Tier 1 supports through classroom lessons and school-wide programs. Students who are identified as needing more intensive supports will receive Tier 2 interventions via small group. Students who require intensive, individual interventions will receive support at the Tier 3 level.  

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When a student is identified as needing Tier 3 interventions, they will meet with the school counselor to discuss potential supports. The school counselor will then administer a valid and reliable assessment, if appropriate. From there, the school counselor will determine if the student should be referred to more intensive support if the student's presenting concerns are outside of the counselor's scope of practice. 

https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/child-and-adolescent-mental-health/index.shtml#part_152583

 Referrals

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Referrals are made for students who may benefit from additional support. These programs and services include: 

  • Counseling services with a School-Based Mental Health Counselor at WCTHS

  • The Childrens' Home of Cincinnati 

  • Project Connect 

  • Hamilton County Jobs and Family Services 

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Crisis Numbers for Hamilton County

  • The Crisis Text Line: 741741

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  • The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)

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  • Report Child Abuse: 1-513-241-KIDS (5437)

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  •  RAINN Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-HOPE (4673)

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  • Hamilton County Jobs and Family Services: 1-513-632-6366

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  • Trevor Project LGBTQ+ Crisis Line: 1-866-488-7386

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  • Trevor Project LGBTQ+ Crisis Text Line: Text START to 678678

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  • Trans Lifeline Hotline: 1-877-565-8860

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