Talladega BOE taking steps to address students’ mental health
The Anniston Star
The Talladega City Board of Education is set to participate in a pilot program designed to improve the mental health of students.
According to Superintendent Dr. Quentin Lee and system mental health coordinator Phyllis Seals, the board will be presented with a memorandum of understanding with the Hilinski’s Hope, becoming one of the first systems in Alabama to partner with the organization to provide mental health education and possible screening as well.
The organization will provide a total of six 10 to 20 minutes lessons for students in grades 9-12, at no cost to the system. The lessons will all be online, so should not cut into students class time. In addition to providing mental health education, the program is also designed to reduce the stigma of mental health issues in others, which might prevent students from seeking help when they need it.
Seals said she and Lee, and Lee’s designee if any, would be the only people with access to information from students regarding their own mental health.
“It’s an additional line of resources available to us,” Lee said.
Since the memorandum was not before the board when they met Tuesday evening, no formal action was taken on it, although the program as described by Lee and Seals seemed to be well received.
Once approved, the program is expected to be up and running when students return from Christmas break.
