Mental Health Matters

Welcome to the freshman and transfer students and welcome back to our returning upperclassman! We are so glad you are here!💗

We hope you have smoothly adjusted to the school routine over these last two weeks. This year is going to be an exciting year for all of us! As we begin, we want to remind you about the support services here at WesTech. Together, the "Student Support Squad" is here to support your journey in mental and emotional wellness. When there are bumps in the road, we are here to help steer you in the best direction. We will all face challenges as we navigate through life but those challenges are put in front of us to teach us lessons, build our skills and to strengthen our resolve. It is important we connect with others to assist us during those tough times and celebrate with us during the good times!

So let's gooooooooo!

After realizing that so many school-aged youth across the country, including those within our BCIT community, are faced with mental health challenges like never before, BCIT took action by seeking external support. Following a rigorous application process, BCIT was selected as one school district to receive federal funding from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (SAMHSA)

As a recipient, BCIT will be able to offer hundreds of students/families support and mental health services for no cost to families. This is extremely important because many young people and their families miss out on support services due to cost or other barriers to access care. Now, they don't have to!

Please see your school counselor to be referred for services.

The Zen Den is located next to the student ID office in center hall. Come stop by during your lunch to relax, unwind and reset in quiet and safe space. Ms. Lauren from Prevention Plus is there for you on a daily basis.

The safety of our students is of utmost importance. That's why we're pleased to offer the Vector Training, K-12 Student Edition Online Training System. We're confident you'll find these courses to be informative and helpful towards maintaining a safe learning environment. All students will complete their training by the end of October.

Research show that social connection can lower anxiety and depression, help us regulate our emotions, lead to higher self-esteem and empathy, and actually improve our immune system. In addition, it makes our environment more comfortable, which improves our potential and performance in the classroom and decreases cases of bullying.

This year your teachers will weave in relationship building exercises, at their discretion, during the school year. This will foster an environment where communication is clear and comfort and connection is a norm in your classrooms. What can you do to keep positive connections with others in our building, throughout the year?

Project Little Warriors Yoga will be back.

But this year they will cultivate focused minds and calm bodies

during physical education classes. Stay tuned!

Look out for dress-up days in October's newsletter to honor these awareness + prevention weeks.

Therapy Dog visits by the dogs and handlers of Tri-State Canine Response Team will make visits this school year! Stayed tuned for dates and location!

If you have a great idea to help with our mental health initiatives, we'd love to hear about it! Email Ms. Cech to set up an appointment to share and discuss. (ccech@burlcoschools.org) Also, if you have articles or resources you'd like to be included in the Mental Health Matters newsletters, please share! Our journey in wellness is a collaborative one, we will walk it together.
We are so glad you are here!!! 💗