Lowndes County Public Schools seeks to help beak down barriers associated with the stigma of mental illness by creating public awareness through resource management. One of the remaining taboos in many communities of color is the stigma around mental illness. Whether it’s depression or anxiety (or, the worst-case scenario, suicide), there is a longstanding belief in these communities that such concerns are taboo, and their impact is the problem of “the other.” Though communities of color, because of socioeconomic challenges, may be at higher risk for poor mental health, this stigma contributes to a reluctance to recognize the need for the help of a physician or therapist. For many in the African American community, our story is one of perseverance and resilience. We must also change the narrative from a conversation about mental illness to a conversation about mental wellness. Mental health is, after all, more than depression, anxiety, or a bipolar disorder diagnosis. It is your overall emotional and mental wellbeing, including both positive and negative elements (National Council for Behavior Health - source).
Lowndes County Public Schools mental health services will use a Multi-tiered System of Supports (MTSS) in collaboration with school administrators, teachers, counselors, parents, students, school nurses and outside agencies to provide a framework of interventions and supports designed to address social - emotional, behavioral and academic challenges that some students face while navigating their academic pursuits. LCPS also seeks to incorporate an Early Warning System (EWS) that will provide alerts for those in need though a technical program app installed on all student devices. We will also use the Second Step Curriculum to provide instruction on social and emotional learning, bully prevention and child abuse awareness.
Goals of LCPS Mental Health Services include:
Goal 1: Raise awareness of mental health issues in order to reduce stigma and promote the overall awareness of students, staff, and community.
Goal 2: Positively influence educational outcomes as they relate to mental health and social emotional learning of LCPS students and staff.
Goal 3: Narrow the gap between identified mental health needs of students and staff and service linkage by developing a comprehensive mental health delivery model.
Goal 4: Improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the collaborations between the District and community partners.
District Collaborations/Partnerships:
|
BB & H WELLNESS/334-676-2368
BEACON BEHAVIORAL HOSPITAL (AGES 6 - 18)/334-319-8724
|
|
BRANT CENTER COUNSELING (AGES 8 - 17)/334-526-2015
|
|
COUNCIL ON SUBSTANCE ABUSE (AGES 13 - 17)/334-262-1629
CROSSBRIDGE (AGES 12 - 18)/ 334-335-5040
|
|
FAMILY SUNSHINE CENTER/334-206-2100
|
|
H.I.M. - HOPE INSPIRED MINISTRIES (AGES 17 - 59)/334-548-4673
|
|
KAIROS COUNSELING CENTER (AGES 5 - 18)/334-328-6740
|
|
MONTGOMERY AREA MENTAL HEALTH AUTHORITIES/334-279-7830
|
|
LOWNDES COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES/334-548-3800
|
Residential Treatment Centers:
| BEACON BEHAVIORAL HOSPITAL/ 24/7 / AGES 6- 18/ASSESSMENT 334-319-8724 |
| CROSSBRIDGE ADOLESCENT BEHAVIORAL HEALTH/ AGES 12 - 18/AVAILABLE 24/7 334-717-2492 OR 286-3116 |
| ALABAMA CLINICAL SCHOOL/BOYS ONLY/ HOURS: 8A - 5P/ AGES 9 - 18/ 1-205-836-9923 |
| GLENWOOD CHILDREN'S RESIDENTIAL SERVICES/HOURS 8A - 4:30P/AGES 5 - 19/1-205-969-2880 |
| HILLCREST BEHAVIORAL HEALTH/ 24/7/AGES 12-18/1-205-833-9000 OR 1-800-292-08553 |
| LAUREL OAKS BEHAVIORAL CENTER/ 24/7/AGES 4 - 18/1-334-794-7373 |
| SEQUEL NEW BEGINNINGS PROGRAM/GIRLS ONLY/AGES 12 - 18/NORTH ALABAMA - 1-256-725-7170/AFTER HOURS: 1-205-725-7170....MONTGOMERY, 1-334-647-1780 |
Local and National Helplines: 
| ALATEENS - SUBSTANCE ABUSE HOTLINE/1-800-352-9996 |
| AMERICAN PSYCHIATRIC ASSOCIATION ANSWER CENTER/ HOURS: 8:30A TO 6:00P/1-888-357-7924 |
| AMERICAN PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION PUBLIC EDUCATION LINE/1-800-964-2000 |
| DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, DATING VIOLENCE, STALKING - FAMILY SUNSHINE CENTER/1-334-263-0218/1-800-650-6522 |
| HUMAN TRAFFICKING - FAMILY SUNSHINE CENTER/1-334-263-0218/1-888-908-7273 |
| NATIONAL COCAINE HOTLINE/1-800-262-2463 |
| NATIONAL SUICIDE PREVENTION LIFELINE/HOURS: 24/7/1-800-237-8255 |
| NATIONAL YOUTH CRISIS HOTLINE/1-800-442-4673 |
| TREATMENT REFERRAL HELPLINE/1-800-662-4957 |
| SEXUAL ASSAULT - FAMILY SUNSHINE CENTER/1-334-263-0218 |
| SUICIDE HOTLINES/HOURS:24/7/1800-784-2433/1800-272-8255/FOR HEARING AND SPEECH IMPAIRED 1-800-799-4889 |
Please follow the Lowndes County Public Schools - Mental Health Awareness Facebook page for the latest updates and resources.
Lowndes County Public Schools - Mental Health Awareness | Facebook
Dr. Tara Green, District Mental Health Services Coordinator
Lowndes County Public Schools
80 Commerce Street South
P. O. Box 755
Hayneville, Alabama 36040
Office: (334) 548-2131 ext. 1317
Email: tgreen@lowndesboe.org
