YUHSD increases mental health services

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) - The Yuma Union High School District (YUHSD) created the Youth Mental Health First Aid Program in 2020 giving mental well-being training to over 60% of teachers and staff.

The program is an all-hands-on-deck environment and is geared to students of ages 12 to 18.

The entire staff ranging from teachers to cafeteria staff and janitors are encouraged to look out for warning signs in students and intervene.

Mental health is a pivotal part of how students perform in school, work, sports and so on.

The National Alliance on Mental Health reports that in the U.S. one in six kids between the ages of six to 17 experience a mental health disorder every year.

Making this teacher and counseling training so important for local students.

Dr. Chistine Bracamonte Wiggs of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona (BCBSAZ) gives credit to YUHSD for putting together an amazing program themselves with BCBSAZ's funding.

“Everyone who comes into contact with youth are able to recognize the signs and symptoms and know how to take action if they see someone struggling," said Dr. Bracamonte Wiggs.

Dr. Bracamonte Wiggs says through new a new foundation they will donate $5 million over the next three years and say mental health is a big factor in what they do.

She continued to say the Suicide Prevention Training for schools started with the Mitch Warnock Act.

Mitch Warnock was a high school student in Tempe who committed suicide.

After his death, the Arizona State Legislature passed Senate Bill 1468, requiring all public school staff to be trained in suicide prevention every three years.

Carmen Castaneda, a counselor and mental health program trainer from San Luis High School shares what she thinks is great about this program.

“One very important thing that we have right now is our social workers on our campuses," said Castaneda. "We have one on every campus right now and that has been a game changer for a lot of us.

This training will help teachers and staff notice changes in students and find the best way to help them.

One model of training being taught is 'ALGEE' which for school staff to remember what to do when helping a student.

YUHSD says its goal is to have the entire staff trained by October and offer self-care plans for all staff before they start training to make sure their own mind is also being taken care of.

Vista High School's director of counseling, Monique Slaughter, who is also a trainer for this program says the curriculum has been eye-opening for her.

“The mental health first aid curriculum is really about any staff member practicing the art of paying attention and noticing signs before things become a crisis and then building relationships with our students," said Slaughter.

BCBSAZ granted $10,000 to the program that helped get it started.

The National Council for Mental Wellbeing offers the same training teachers and counselors are receiving to parents and other guardians.