Health and Safety Code §161.325 states that the Department of State Health Services (DSHS), in coordination with the Texas Education Agency (TEA) and regional education service centers (ESCs), shall provide and annually update a list of recommended best practice-based programs for implementation in public elementary, junior high, middle, and high schools within the general education setting. DSHS, TEA, and each ESC are required to make the list easily accessible on their websites. The list must include programs in the following areas:

• Early mental health intervention
• Mental health promotion and positive youth development
• Substance abuse prevention
• Substance abuse intervention
• Suicide prevention

Suicide Prevention Training for Educators in Public Schools

House Bill (HB) 2186 which was passed by the 84th Texas Legislature, 2015, and signed into law by Governor Abbott on June 19, 2015, (Texas Education Code § 21.451) requires suicide prevention training to all new school district and open-enrollment charter school educators annually and to existing school district and open-enrollment charter school educators on a schedule adopted by the TEA by rule. Training must be selected from the list of recommended best practice-based programs that is provided by the DSHS. School districts and open-enrollment charter schools may also select programs through an independent review of online suicide prevention training materials that comply with the guidelines developed by the TEA.

The purpose of the current Texas School Health Advisory Committee (TSHAC) document is to identify relevant resources for school personnel to accomplish the training of staff required by the Health and Safety Code and Texas Education Code citations above.

TEXAS RESOURCES                       

Texas Suicide Prevention

The Texas Department of State Health Services lists multiple best practice resources for schools in areas of Early Mental Health Intervention, Mental Health Promotion and Positive Youth Development, Substance Abuse Prevention and Intervention, and Suicide Prevention. The list has been created in cooperation with the Texas Education Agency to comply with the requirements of Texas Education Code § 21.451. The list is available at:  http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/mhsa/suicide/Suicide-Prevention.aspx  and at

http://tea.texas.gov/Texas_Schools/Safe_and_Healthy_Schools/Coordinated_School_Health/Coordinated_School_Health_Requirements_and_Approved_Programs/

Suicide Prevention Training for Texas Educators

A free, interactive training to help educators build skills and confidence to identify and refer students in psychological or suicidal distress.

http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/mhsa/suicide/apps/

Mental Health First Aid

Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is an 8 hour in-person training that teaches participants how to help people with symptoms of a mental illness or in crisis. http://www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org/

School personnel in Texas can receive MHFA training at no cost. To learn more, contact your education service center or local community mental health center:

http://www.txcouncil.com/state_map_of_service_areas.aspx

Texas Department of State Health Services Suicide Prevention

The Texas Department of State Health Services Suicide Prevention homepage lists  crisis hotlines and best practice-based resources for public schools, including resources in the following categories: Early Mental Health Intervention, Mental Health Promotion and Positive Youth Development, Substance Abuse Prevention and Intervention, Suicide Prevention, and Educator Preparation Programs .

http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/mhsa/suicide/suicide-prevention.aspx

Texas Suicide Prevention

A collaborative initiative to reduce suicides in Texas, Texas Suicide Prevention provides resources and in-person, online, and video training. Resources include information for specific populations and after a suicide takes place.

http://www.texassuicideprevention.org

Texas Youth Suicide Prevention Project

Provides online suicide prevention trainings for elementary, middle, and high school educators. Users have practice conversations with virtual students to learn effective methods for engaging in difficult conversations addressing mental health issues. The Kognito online trainings are listed on the National Registry of Evidence-based Programs and Practices (NREPP). https://texas.kognito.com 

ASK App

The ASK About Suicide to Save a Life app provides useful information to use as an educational resource as well as a crisis intervention resource for suicide prevention.

http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/mhsa/suicide/apps/

Texas Behavior Support Initiative

Trainings designed for educators to provide foundational knowledge for the use of positive behavior interventions and supports for students.

https://tier.tea.texas.gov/TBSI

Texas Education Agency (TEA)

The TEA website provides a list of resources related to the counseling and mental health services component of the coordinated school health model.

http://tea.texas.gov/Texas_Schools/Safe_and_Healthy_Schools/Coordinated_School_Health/Counseling_and_Mental_Health_Services_of_the_Coordinated_School_Health_Model/

NATIONAL RESOURCES                             

MentalHealth.gov

MentalHealth.gov provides one-stop access to U.S. government mental health and mental health problems information, including resources on suicide prevention and coping with traumatic events.

http://www.mentalhealth.gov

Center for School Mental Health

Center for School Mental Health strengthens policies and programs in school mental health to improve learning and promote success for America's youth.

http://csmh.umaryland.edu/index.html

National Association of School Psychologists

A collection of information and resources for educators and families about a variety of children’s mental health issues.

Information for Educators – http://www.nasponline.org/educators/index.aspx

Information for Families – http://www.nasponline.org/families/index.aspx

National Eating Disorders Association

Resources for educators about eating disorders prevention and treatment, including a toolkit for understanding more about eating disorders and how to support students who may be affected. 

 https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/tags/education

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline – 1 (800) 273-TALK (8255)

Trained crisis workers are available to talk 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org

UCLA Center for Mental Health in Schools

An online toolbox providing a broad view of mental health in schools and of the role mental health plays in the well-being of students, their families, and their teachers.

http://smhp.psych.ucla.edu/summit2002/toolbox.htm

50 Resources to Support the Mental Health of Teachers & Staff

To support the mental health of teachers and school staff, Teach.com has researched and collected helpful apps recommended by support organizations for teachers, articles focusing on their mental wellbeing and other resources written, created and produced by educators or mental health experts, agencies and organizations for educators and school staff.

https://teach.com/resources/mental-health-resources-teachers-school-staff/

StopBullying.gov

StopBullying.gov provides information and resources about what bullying and cyber bullying is, who is at risk, and prevention and response strategies.

http://www.stopbullying.gov

STUDENT MENTAL HEALTH AND ITS IMPACT ON LEARNING     

MentalHealth.gov – Mental Health Resources for Educators

Learn what educators should know about the warning signs of mental health problems, the types of mental health conditions, what educators can do in the classroom, and developing effective school mental health programs.

https://www.mentalhealth.gov/talk/educators  

Children's Mental Health Disorder Fact Sheets for the Classroom

Produced by the Minnesota Association for Children's Mental Health, these fact sheets are quick summaries of common childhood mental health disorders, with a description, educational implications, some intervention ideas, and other resources. 

https://www.bridges4kids.org/MHClassroomFactSheet.pdf  

Depression in Children and Adolescents

http://www.nasponline.org/resources/handouts/social%20template.pdf

Sleep and Sleep Disorders in Children and Adolescents: Information for Parents and Educators

http://www.nasponline.org/resources/health_wellness/sleepdisorders_ho.aspx

TEACHING STUDENTS WITH MENTAL HEALTH CONCERNS              

Child Trauma Toolkit for Educators

A toolkit to provide school administrators, teachers, staff, and concerned parents with basic information about working with traumatized children in the school system.

http://www.nctsn.org/resources/audiences/school-personnel/trauma-toolkit

Helping the Student with ADHD in the Classroom

http://www.nasponline.org/resources/handouts/special%20needs%20template.pdf

The ABC’s of Children’s Mental Health

http://www.nasponline.org/resources/handouts/abcs_handout.pdf

TEACHING  STUDENTS WITH A HISTORY OF TRAUMA                       

The Effects of Trauma on Schools and Learning

http://www.nctsn.org/resources/audiences/school-personnel/effects-of-trauma

National Child Traumatic Stress Network: Resources for School Personnel

An online resource library for school personnel including information on responding to a school crisis, school safety, the effect of trauma, and more.

http://www.nctsn.org/resources/audiences/school-personnel

Death and Grief: Supporting Children and Youth

http://www.nasponline.org/resources/crisis_safety/deathgrief.pdf

Facts on Traumatic Stress and Children with Developmental Disabilities

http://www.nctsn.org/products/facts-traumatic-stress-and-children-developmental-disabilities-2004

Identifying Seriously Traumatized Children: Tips for Parents and Educators

http://www.nasponline.org/resources/crisis_safety/psycht_general.aspx

Crisis Event Service Intervention Programs

Service intervention programs to facilitate the recovery of students, staff members, and the school environment after a crisis event.

http://www.nctsn.org/resources/audiences/school-personnel/service-interventions

Psychological First Aid for Schools

Psychological First Aid for Schools is an evidence-informed approach for assisting children, adolescents, adults, and families in the aftermath of a school crisis, disaster, or terrorism event.

http://www.nctsn.org/content/psychological-first-aid-schoolspfa

Teacher Guidelines for Helping Students after Mass Violence

http://www.nctsn.org/sites/default/files/assets/pdfs/teachers_guidelines_talk_about_mass_violence.pdf  

MANAGING BEHAVIOR                           

Texas Behavior Support Initiative

Trainings designed for educators to provide foundational knowledge for the use of positive behavior interventions and supports for students.

http://www.txbehaviorsupport.org/

Center for Parent Information and Resources – Behavior at School

Resources and tools for teachers including using positive methods to solve behavior issues, information on specific disabilities, and resources on Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.

http://www.parentcenterhub.org/repository/behavior-atschool/

SCHOOLWIDE PLANNING, IMPLEMENTATION & EVALUATION       

Checklist for School Personnel to Evaluate and Implement the Mental Health Component of Your School Crisis and Emergency Plan

http://www.nctsn.org/products/checklist-school-personnel-evaluate-and-implement-mental-health-component-your-school-crisis

Trauma-informed Schools and Anti-bullying Webinars

A series of webinars focuses on partnering with schools to enhance mental health and trauma-informed services including the impact of traumatic events and the benefits of providing trauma-informed mental health services and IEPs in schools.

http://learn.nctsn.org/course/index.php?categoryid=39

Building Capacity to Reduce Bullying - Workshop Summary

A summary of a workshop conducted by the Board on Children, Youth, and Families of the Institute of Medicine (IOM) and the National Research Council (NRC) on conceptual models, interventions, and protective factors for bullying prevention.

https://www.nap.edu/catalog/18762/building-capacity-to-reduce-bullying-workshop-summary  

Children’s Safety Network Bullying Prevention Resource Guide

This resource guide provides links to organizations, programs, publications, and resources focused on bullying prevention.

https://www.childrenssafetynetwork.org/guides/bullying-prevention