Parent Resource Center Monday Message: 1.25.21

January 25, 2021

The team at your Parent Resource Center hopes this message finds you keeping warm on this chilly day. This week we join APS in celebrating Principals Appreciation Week, and acknowledging the dedication of our school leaders during this unprecedented year. APS invites you to send them a message, work with your child on a card, and/or use the hashtag #ThankAPSPrincipals  on Twitter and Facebook to celebrate your Principal.

JANUARY IS MENTAL WELLNESS MONTH
As we reflect on the some of the challenges this unusual year has presented, we know some families are experiencing mental health concerns, so are devoting today’s Monday Message to sharing mental health resources. Please do not hesitate to reach out to the Parent Resource Center if we can be of support in connecting you with resources. We can be reached at 703.228.7239 or prc@apsva.us.

MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES

Arlington Public Schools has taken a multi-faceted approach to meeting the mental health needs of its students. Strategies are implemented at the student, staff and community levels to provide prevention and intervention in the area of mental health. In addition to its counseling staff, each school has an assigned school psychologist and school social worker that work with school staff to support students who require more individualized interventions. Other staff assigned to schools include attendance counselors, substance abuse counselors, school nurses and school resource officers. Additionally, school-based therapists from the Department of Mental Health support several schools. More

Parents/guardians who are concerned about their child’s mental health are encouraged to communicate with school staff as well as their child’s medical provider.

In Crisis/Need Help Now? 

To ensure each quick access to crisis information, APS has a red In Crisis/Need Help Now? button on its website.

This red button links to a variety of helpful resources, including:

• Children’s Regional Crisis Response (CR2)
  View CR2 video
  CR2 Provides 24- Hour rapid response to all youth (17 & younger) facing a mental health and/or substance use crisis. Their highly trained and compassionate counselors provide phone screening and face-to-face assessment, intervention, and support so that your child and family may continue with life as planned. Call for 24-Hour Crisis Services – 844-627-4747
• 911 – For Immediate Emergencies, call 911
• A helpful suicide prevention resource flyer to help yourself or a friend:
  • To Help Yourself, or a Friend: Click Here
  • Para ayudarse a sí mismo o un amigo: Haga clic aquí
• Links to Emergency Mental Health Services
  • Arlington Behavioral Healthcare Services
    • Emergency Line: 703-228-5160
    • General Number: 703-228-1560
• Resources for concerns about suicide/self-harm:
  • Crisis Link Regional Hot Line: 703-527-4077 or Text: CONNECT to 85511
  • National Hope Line: 1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433
  • LGBTQ Lifeline: 1-866-488-7386
  • National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255
  • SAMHSA National Helpline: 1-800-662-HELP (1-800-662-4357)
• Local Resources:
  • Assessment and Treatment Facilities Appropriate for School Children
• Web Resources:
  • The Jason Foundation
  • National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
• Videos – Teen Suicide Prevention for Parents-Mayo Clinic
  • Preventing Teen Suicide
  • Teen Suicide Prevention

Finally, Arlington NAMI (National Alliance for Mental Illness) offers ongoing support groups for parents. The groups are confidential, and are currently meeting virtually. Details are listed below.

Please visit aps2016.apsva.us/prc-events