Mental Health Minute

TEA released guidance on Senate Bill 12 (Required Parental Rights Form and Right to Health-Related Services Information) on Thursday, August 28th. Both the original bill and TEA guidance are linked below.

Region 17 has a scheduled Zoom meeting on September 4th with Stephanie Lerner from TEA to address legislative updates. Many of you are already registered to attend. If you have specific questions in relation to Senate Bill 12 implementation, please submit them no later than September 2nd using the Google form linked below so that we can share these with Stephanie.

Here are some resources for suicide prevention:

AFSP: Out of the Darkness Walk Registration

AFSP West Texas Chapter - Resources & Trainings

AFSP: The Hope Hub

AFSP: Teens & Suicide - What parents should know

NAMI: Language Matters

Suicide Prevention Resource Center

SAMHSA: Preventing Suicide: A toolkit for high schools

The Columbia Lighthouse Project: C-SSRS

988 Lifeline

MHTTC: Protective Factors for Suicide Prevention

MHTTC: Warning Signs of Suicide

SEPTEMBER

9-4: Legislative Updates for School Counselors

9-8: Brain-Based Classroom Management

9-11: Youth Mental Health First Aid

9-15: Think Smart Instructor Training (Fentanyl Prevention Student Training)

9-16: Mental Health Matters: Effective Trauma-Informed Strategies and Techniques (virtual)

9-22: Safety Planning Intervention

9-23: Mental Health Matters: Trauma & the Impact on Substance Misuse (virtual)

OCTOBER

10-6: New Counselor Network

10-6: Counselor Roundtable

10-7: Psychological First Aid

10-9: Grief & Trauma-Sensitive Schools: Creating a Safe Learning Environment for ALL!

10-9: Youth Mental Health First Aid

10-14: Mental Health Matters: Effective Trauma-Informed Strategies and Techniques specific for IDD students (virtual)

NOVEMBER

11-4: Mental Health Matters: Supporting Student through Traumatic Grief & Complex Trauma (virtual)

11-5: AS+K? Suicide Gatekeeper Training/CALM Training

11-6: Youth Mental Health First Aid

11-17: MTSS Roundup (hold the date)

11-18: New Counselor Network

11-18: Counselor Roundtable

Please join Stephanie Lerner, Counselor Support Program Manager at TEA as she covers important topics for school counselors and provides an overview of key updates from the 89th Texas Legislature. Topics covered will include: Counseling, Student Advancement, Graduation, CTE, CCMR, Health & Safety, and Libraries. This will be a zoom meeting and link will be provided to registered participants on Wednesday, September 3. Register HERE!

Join us for a dynamic instructor training designed to equip school educators and staff with the tools to deliver Think Smart, a 5-week opioid misuse prevention curriculum tailored for students in grades 4 through 12. Think Smart is designed to help children and teens build confidence, understand opioid misuse risks, and make healthy choices. The program also includes fentanyl education. Register HERE.

This page provides information on legislation passed during the 89th regular legislative session, including changes to the Texas Education Code and other Texas statutes. Implementation resources will also be shared here to support school leaders. As additional information becomes available, it will be communicated to school systems and posted on this page. View this resource HERE.

The Texas School Safety Center has launched the Threats Are No Joke campaign for grades 4–12. A free PSA video and campaign toolkit help schools and parents talk with students about why making or sharing threats is never okay.
Don’t do it. Don’t share it. Report it!

Greater Good Science Center reminds us that supporting teens through the back-to-school transition takes more than mindfulness alone. Their latest article explores how compassion - especially when rooted in relationship-centered approaches - can make a powerful difference. Read more HERE.

Region 17 offers several options for asynchronous trainings. Once you enroll in any of the below courses, an email will be sent to you with a link to a video to watch. At the end of the video there is a link to a google form. Completion of the form is required for participants to receive credit for this session.

• School Counselor Resources Padlet - Updated resources including bullying, substance use, mental health topics, and more!
• School Counselor Work Time - FAQ

Professionals must now report suspected child abuse or neglect to the Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) or the police within 24 hours. This is a change from the 48 hour window to report suspected abuse or neglect previously. Please see TEA Educators' Duty to Protect Students information HERE.

Texas School Safety Center (TxSSC) has several new & existing trainings offered this fall. Explore these resources available to help you in supporting and working with students.

Addressing Anxiety & Depression in Students - Elementary

Addressing Anxiety & Depression in Students - Secondary

Restorative Practices for Educators

Trauma-Informed Care-Elementary

Trauma-Informed Care - Secondary

Start with Hello - Sandy Hook Promise

Say Something - Sandy Hook Promise

Because safety is a top priority for schools, below you will find resources to help support families:

NCTSN: Age-Related Reactions to a Traumatic Event

TxSSC: A Parent's Guide to School Safety Toolkit

Safer Schools Together: Parent Resources

Mental Health America: Talking to Kids About School Safety

Charlie Health is virtual care for mental health, substance use and eating disorders.

Click the link to learn more!

Lenny.org is a behavioral-health toolkit for custom curriculum, evidence-based lessons aligned with CASEL and ASCA. Lenny delivers tiered interventions through AI, allowing educators to develop efficient and custom supports to meet the needs of students. Check out this resource for more information!

Scheduled for September 20, 2025 at the National Ranching Heritage Center in Lubbock, TX.

Click here to learn more!

Habit Stacking for Self-Improvement

Supporting a Culture of Wellness in Schools

Self-Care for Teachers and Educators: How to Balance Passion and Wellness

Texas School Mental Health Website

Texas Child Health Access Through Telehealth (TCHATT)

Suicide Safer Schools: Texas Advancing Suicide Safer Schools Roadmap

Texas School Safety Center

TEA: Mental Health & Behavioral Health

TEA: Safe and Supportive Schools

TEA: Suicide Prevention, Intervention & Postvention

TEA: Minimum Standards of Bullying Prevention

TEA: Safe, Supportive and Positive School Climate

TEA: Student Supports

TEA: Counseling, Advising, & Student Supports

TIPS for TIERS

Behavior Builders

School Counselor Connection

Title IV Safety & Security Updates

INclusion Support

AUesome Newsletter

My name is Amy Smallwood, and I serve as the Education Specialist in Mental Health and Crisis Intervention for Region 17 ESC. I am here to partner with you in addressing the growing mental health needs within your district.

Region 17 offers a variety of supports - including resources, planning tools, and customized interventions to help you navigate the challenges facing your staff and students. It's an honor to work alongside you this year. Please don't hesitate to reach out if I can support you, your team or your campus in any way. I look forward to partnering with you!

Email: asmallwood@esc17.net

Website: https://www.esc17.net/page/mentalhealth
Location: 1111 West Loop 289 Access Road, Lubbock, TX, USA
Phone: 806-281-5879

Hi!! I am Kendra Cates. I am the Behavioral Health Partnership Program Liaison partnering with ESC Region 17. I am an LPC and have experience in clinical practice as well as in a school district before joining the StarCare team. I am available to assist with connecting you to resources for your students and families for mental health and substance use issues that your district or campus may need!

Please reach out if your district/campus needs anything!

Email: kcates@starcarelubbock.org
Location: 1111 West Loop 289 Access Road Lubbock TX 79416
Phone: 806-281-5804