The committee, which calls itself Park Cities HOPE, seeks to destigmatize mental health and raise awareness of the many resources available to assist individuals facing emotional challenges.
"We realize we are addressing a concerning epidemic across our nation," HPISD
Director of Academics and Support Services Lydia Walden said. "There is so much work to do in this area. Most importantly, we want our families to know we care, and that there are resources available to assist through emotionally challenging times."
"What I've learned in working with mental health concerns is it takes more than just the school district's efforts," PC HOPE member and HPISD Trustee Lee Michaels said. "We need the entire community involved. We have had a remarkable start, but this kind of work does not happen overnight. We want to make an impact in our community, and we all need to be joined in this conversation together to support our children."
The committee has approximately 50 members, including law enforcement officials, physicians, area clergy, mental health professionals, counselors, parents and HPISD staff. It meets two to three times a year to openly address mental health concerns, the well-being of our youth and discuss opportunities to raise awareness.
PC HOPE has resources posted in a central location on the district's website. Some organizations are available 24 hours-a-day; however, if it is an emergency, families should dial 911. Later this spring, PC HOPE plans to implement a door-hanger campaign, placing materials on the doors of homes and businesses throughout the community with instant resources for help.
In addition to PC HOPE, Michaels and her family have established the Lee Michaels Student Wellness Fund through the HP Education Foundation (HPEF) to be used to provide support for mental health awareness in HPISD.
"Mental health is something that I feel especially strongly about," Michaels said. "In learning more about it, I know that, through life's challenges, sometimes we fall, but it is also possible for us to persevere."
"The Lee Michaels Student Wellness Fund is the first endowment gift that the Education Foundation has ever received to focus specifically on supporting the mental health of our HPISD students," Executive Director Lauren Holloway said. "We are deeply grateful to the Michaels family for investing in this important cause that not only provides critical resources for the well-being of our students today, but also for generations of Scots far into the future."
For families interested in learning how to get involved to support this cause, please go to www.hpisd.org/hope/.
"We have staff and community members dedicated to this cause," Walden said. "We do not want to see our children give up. We want them to know they have resources to help them and to always have hope, no matter what."
Resources
- Crisis Text Line - Text Home to 741741 for free, available 24/7
- Get Help Now! - Compiled by Grant Halliburton Foundation, available 24/7 for crisis situations
- Mental Health Navigation Line - Supported by Grant Halliburton Foundation, available 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday for non-crisis situations
- Safe 2 Speak Up! - Anonymous tip line sent directly to a school administrator
