Mental Health & Wellness
Mental Health & Wellness
Why Mental Health in School?
- Mentally healthy students are more likely to go to school ready to learn, actively engage in school activities, have supportive and caring connections with adults and young people, use appropriate problem-solving skills, have non-aggressive behaviors, and add to positive school culture.
- Studies have shown the value of developing comprehensive school mental health programs in helping students achieve academically and have access to experiences that build social skills, leadership, self-awareness, and caring connections to adults in their school and community.
- Schools that also choose to collaborate with community partners like TCS has, have found that they can enhance the academic success of individual students. These partnerships have found to significantly improve schoolwide truancy and discipline rates, increase the rates of high school graduation, and help create a positive school environment in which a student can learn and be successful in school and in the community.
DID YOU KNOW?
➔ 1 IN 5 Children ages 3–17 have been diagnosed with a mental, emotional, or behavioral health condition.
➔ 40% of U.S. high school students reported persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness.
➔ 59% of public K–12 teachers report frequent job-related stress.
➔ 2nd Suicide was the second-leading cause of death among Alabama children ages 5–14 in 2023.
➔ 25+ advanced academic programs
The Tiger's Mind: Mental Wellness Newsletter
Tallassee City School District created this monthly newsletter to feature various topics and resources to help maintain social-emotional competencies and overall mental wellness for our students, families, teachers, and staff.
Look for the next edition, available by the 2nd Monday of every month starting in September!
What's on a Tiger's Mind? Take a Look Inside!
Mental Health, and Mental Illness, and Mental Wellness. Oh, my!
Mental health, mental Illness, and mental wellness.
These terms all sound similar and vaguely familiar, but upon closer inspection, do we really know what these terms mean?
With those definitions out of the way, the second thought that comes to mind is the relationships between these three entities. It’s often that we think of mental health and mental illnesses to be positively correlated, for them to be directly related to the other.
But that’s not true; while these three entities occasionally influence one or the other, they should be viewed as separate. Having poor mental health does not equate to having a mental illness, just as good mental health does not equate to not having a mental illness.
It's easier understood like this:
Meet Bruce. Bruce is stressed and overwhelmed because the huge work project he’s been working on isn’t going the way it’s supposed to. He is tempted to give it all up and finds no hope in doing anything at all to fix things. When his friends approach him, Bruce refuses help and actively avoids all social interaction. At this point in time, Bruce’s mental health is poor, but he does not have a mental illness.
Now, meet Luna. Luna was diagnosed with an eating disorder, a mental illness. With recovery in mind, Luna does her best to cope with the changes she has to make and she doesn’t ignore the need to get better. At this point in time, Luna’s mental health is good. Mental health is a state of well-being that affects how we react to the experiences us – some days could be better than others, and that is perfectly normal.
“Health isn’t like an on/off switch. There are different degrees of health. [...] Many people fall somewhere in the middle—they’re generally in good health, though the occasional problem may come up. Mental health is the same way.” (CMHA)
That being said, the distinction between mental health as a state and mental illness as a condition is now apparent. As one would treat a migraine with care, a dip in the state of our mental health should also warrant the same concern.
(TheMindfulCompany.com)
Learn More
8 DIMENSIONS OF WELLNESS
SELF-CARE
For Educators
Every kid needs a champion | Rita Pierson | TED
How to Talk to a Student
Addressing Concerns and Motivating Change
- Wondering what to say when a student shares personal mental health concerns with you?
- Looking to help a student recognize and seek help for a health or behavioral issue?
- Need strategies for encouraging a student to overcome ambivalence and move toward positive change?
This part of the website (How to Talk to a Student) is all about talking with students about mental illness, sharing your concerns about their well-being, and helping them understand and cope with specific issues.
<<-- CLICK logo for link to website.
Strategies for improving teacher well-being throughout your career.
CLICK infographic to read full article -->>
PARENTS/GUARDIANS
What can you do if you are concerned with your child's mental health?
- Consult with your child’s doctor or pediatrician. Describe what concerns you and ask for recommendations. They may provide a referral for a Mental Health Professional.
- Contact key people at your child’s school. Who should you reach out to? The School Counselor is a great resource to start if you aren’t sure. Click here for a list of Tallassee City Schools Counselors contact list.
- Teachers can also provide insight such as changes or concerns in your child’s behavior. Ask: Are they noticing similar concerns?
- Crisis help lines are available:
- National Suicide Prevention Line: Call or Text 988 for free 24-hour help
- Crisis Text Line - A free, 24/7 text line for people in crisis. Text HOME to 741741
If you or your child are in immediate danger, please call 911.
LOCAL RESOURCES
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Search more than 800 community organizations throughout Alabama to find the help you need. United Way’s 2-1-1 Information and Referral Line is an easy-to-remember telephone number that connects you with community services to meet a wide variety of needs.
- Free and confidential.
- Dial 2-1-1 from any cell or landline
- Text your zip code to 898-211
- Visit 2-1-1 Connects Alabama
ACTS (Association of Christians of Tallassee)
Food pantry, clothing, supplies, assistance with utility bills, and other supportive needs.
308 Main Street
Tallassee, AL - 36078(334) 283-6750
- By Appointment ONLY.
West Boundary Street, Wetumpka
332-567-3232
- Provides food to families in need.
- Elmore County Food Pantry
- elmorecountyfoodpantry@gmail.com
Tallassee Mission House (First Methodist Church)
Provides spiritual and material support for those in need in the Tallassee area. Material support is available through donations of gently used items such as clothing, medical equipment, hygiene supplies, non-perishable food, and and housewares.
3 Jordan Ave., Tallassee, AL
334-640-5760 (call or text to confirm before arriving.)
- Hours: Saturdays – 9 am to 12 pm & Wednesdays – 9 am to 1 pm
- Fumctallassee
- tallasseemissionhouse@gmail.com
-
National Suicide Prevention Helpline
Free, 24/7, Confidential, trained crisis support for ANY mental health situation.
Text or Call 988
- 988 life line
- Spanish & Veterans Peer Support options available
Fosters hope and healing for survivors of family violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking through the provision of crisis intervention, safe shelter, counseling, advocacy, and supportive services.
(334) 206-2100
24/7 Crisis Resource Line: (334) 263-0128, or(800) 650-6522
- Free and available to everyone.
- Family Sunshine Center
-
Alabama Division of Human Resources (DHR)
County office for various state ran benefit and support programs.
Main Number (334) 514-3200
Elmore County: 8961 U.S. Highway 231, Wetumpka, AL
Tallapoosa County: 1279 South Tallassee St., Dadeville, AL
- Office Hours: 8:00 am until 4:30 pm
- Phone Numbers:
- Adult Services (334) 514-3200
- Child Support Information (334) 514-3200
- Family and Child Services (334) 514-3200
- FAX (334) 514-3299
- Food Assistance Office (334) 514-3200
- TANF or JOBS Information (334) 514-3200
Butterfly Bridge Children's Advocacy Center
Advocacy group that offers safe, child-friendly environment to children victimized by abuse or neglect as it carries out the mission to provide restoration and justice.
334-478-4094
- Free and available to anyone.
- Butterfly Bridge Children's Advocacy Center
Elmore County Family Resource Center
631 Coosa River Pkwy, Wetumpka, AL 36092
(334) 224-1868
24/7 warm-line for non-crisis mental health support by trained peer-based professionals.
844-999-4647
- Free available to anyone.
- Wings Across Alabama
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Connect Alabama, a behavioral health services and treatment finder application, provides individuals instant access to education, information and services related to substance use, mental health, and prevention.
- Download the app from your app store.
- More information about the app on VitAL - University of Alabama
P.I.R.C. (Psychiatric Intake Response Center)
The Psychiatric Intake Response Center (PIRC), located in the Emergency Department at Children’s of Alabama, is a free, confidential phone response center designed to help adult callers and community providers in finding the appropriate level of mental health care.
205-638-PIRC (7472)
- Any adult with a mental health question or concern regarding a child or adolescent is encouraged to contact the PIRC
- Open seven days a week, year-round from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m.
- More info online.
SAMHSA Treatment Locator (behavioral health & substance use)
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) provides a confidential and anonymous source of information for persons looking for treatment facilities in the United States or U.S. Territories for substance abuse/addiction and/or mental health problems.
Meet Your Support Team
Mental Health Services Coordinator
Hello! My name is Jen Bafford. I hold Bachelor's Degrees in Social Work, Communications, and Psychology from the University of Missouri. I have worked In the social services and mental health fields since 2008. My experience comes from working to connect families to resources through state and federal benefit eligibility programs. Since my family and I moved to Alabama in 2018, I directed a federal grant program to strengthening the mental health awareness across the state through Mental Health First Aid and QPR. I enjoy working with young people of all ages, families, and their support systems. My mother is a retired elementary school teacher of 38 years and having been brought up as a teacher's kid working with Tallassee City Schools feels like home. I look forward to serving students, their families, and faculty & staff across the TCS District by coordinating available services and resources to support mental health and wellness. I also serve the district as the McKinney Vento Families Liaison and the Family Engagement Educators Team (F.E.E.T.) Coordinator.
Let's talk!
