Mental health is crucial to overall health, which means that access to mental health support is important for all students across the nation.
Schools are areas of both physical and mental development, but people often do not recognize that school affects social and emotional development as well. As students interact with their peers, they develop their own self image and learn how to interact with the world around them.
Since mental health is a necessary part of school-life, schools provide mental-health resources that are available all hours of the day and accessible for anyone who needs it. Mt. Vernon has multiple posters around the school that offer many resources for multiple mental health related situations. A few include “You Got This,” “Reach Out for Help” and “No One Deserves To Be Beaten.”
“You Got This” is an anti-vaping program available through text. Individuals can text “EXPROGRAM” to 88709 to start the recovery journey.
The “Reach Out for Help” poster offers three in-school options for resources including, first step resources, request to see a counselor form and the bullying report form.
Finally, the “No One Deserves To Be Beaten” poster, often in the school restrooms, offers the Hancock County resource number (317) 462-8777, which will provide access to phone numbers and other information regarding emergency support.
These posters offer a few resources, but there are a multitude outside of these options that are made available to those in need. 988 The Indiana Helpline is a 24/7 lifeline for mental health issues, suicide crisis and substance abuse. There are always trained crisis specialists who are online and ready to provide direct support at any time.
Community Health Network also offers a 24/7 crisis line that provides an option for either phone or face-to-face psychiatric evaluations, their number is (317) 621-5700.
Help is always available to those who need it. There are options during a rough period and it is important to reach out as there are people who want to help. Everyone’s voice deserves to be heard, even if it is expressing something that is difficult to say.