Mental Health

Take time to prepare for conversations with your child about their mental health. It is important to model for  your child that you, the adult, can handle hearing about their potentially troubling thoughts and feelings. As  you navigate the discussion, try to speak from a place of curiosity and compassion, rather than from fear or  anger. Start by stating that you care about their wellbeing and describe what you’ve noticed has changed.  With younger children it can be helpful to start by identifying a familiar character from a movie or book that  struggles with hard emotions. With older children, having the conversation “side by side” such as in a car or  while sharing a task may help your child to open up. 

Your child may say something that is a “red flag”; meaning their mental health may impact their safety. Younger  children may say things like, “I don’t want to be here anymore,” “I wish I were never born,” or they don’t want to  “cause problems” any longer. Older children may directly say they want to die. Do not be afraid to ask your  child if they have been thinking about suicide - asking will not cause them to act. Be direct, but also age appropriate. With an elementary child, you could ask, “have you been thinking about hurting yourself in any  way?” With a secondary age child, you could ask, “have you been thinking about suicide?” You could ask any  child, “have you ever hurt yourself on purpose?” If your child responds "no" to these questions, keep the dialogue open and consider ongoing care.

If your child says “yes” they have thought about or attempted suicide, this is a crisis. Let your child know that  you love them and are so sorry they are in such pain. Act immediately to ensure their safety. Take them to  the emergency room or call 911 if they have just attempted suicide or desire to end their life now. Call your county youth crisis hotline for guidance on how to keep your child safe in the coming days. A crisis counselor  may work with you and your child on a plan to prevent and address a future crisis.

Caring for a child that is struggling can feel overwhelming. It takes a village! Reach out to healthy friends and  family for both emotional and practical support, such as help to supervise your child and provide respite for  yourself. Call your child’s school counselor to let them know about your child’s struggles with mental health. The school will partner with you to ensure your child’s safety while at school. Consider updating your child’s  pediatrician and/or consult with a mental health professional to see if ongoing counseling would be helpful. See  the back of this guide for helpful phone numbers and resources.  

All Yelm Community Schools have access to mental health supports. Your child may be able to see a therapist  while at school or receive a referral to an outside provider. Contact your child's school counselor for details. You are not alone if your child is struggling with mental health.

The Mental Health Google Classrooms were initiated by a task force of students along with former Superintendent Brian Wharton. Each middle school and high school program has a customized Google Classroom of self-care, on-site, and crisis mental health resources that is updated annually. Periodic emails sent to all students enrolled in their Google Classroom address topics of mental health and wellness.