Benjamin Logan Schools promotes prevention techniques for mental health before crises happen.
“That is our goal at Benjamin Logan,” said Chris Bair, Benjamin Logan health teacher, during an awareness event at the high school Wednesday evening.
Bair showed parents At-Risk for High School, At-Risk for Middle School, At-Risk for Elementary School and Friend2Friend — computer-based simulations designed to help direct open conversations and positive communication skills about mental health.
“It’s a suicide prevention program, but it teaches and emphasizes not just, ‘I’m at a point where I want to hurt myself,’ but it’s more preventative — getting them help,” Bair explaned.
And the prevention aspect appeals to parent Cathy Harless.
“It’s important so kids open up sooner and deal with mental health issues,” she said. “The earlier you start with depression and anxiety, the less of a chance you have of that thinking when they get older. We’re just trying to get a handle on it.”
The simulations encouraged using reflective statements and asking open-ended questions.
“Being open ended works a lot better in conversations,” Bair said. “The simulations really opened my eyes two years ago. Ever since, I’ve had more kids opening up. They’re figuring out that we’re really listening … Getting them to open up is one of the biggest obstacles.”
Harless said she was eager to learn more about helping her children so they have good mental health.
Parent Valladia Mannings agreed.
“There’s just so many things that kids this age nowadays have to deal with that my older kids never had to go through,” she said. “They have questions I don’t really know how to answer. I want to learn to communicate better with them so they can express themselves.”
Mannings also said she wants to be a part of overcoming the stigma that comes with the treatment of mental health.
“My parents always used to say, ‘What happens in your house stays in your house,’ and now it’s not like that,” Harless said.
“We want to get the word out about mental health more to parents and adults to help them as much as the kids at school,” Bair said. “The more people feel comfortable about having positive communication, the more of a support system the kids have. With more avenues and more trusting adults, we’re going to see better results and going to improve kids’ mental health. They’ll be less afraid to open up and talk to you.”
Harless said simply: “It takes a village to raise children nowadays.”