Mental Health

Taylor County Mental Health & Wellness

We understand that a student's emotional and psychological health are vital components of their overall success and happiness. Our comprehensive and compassionate mental health services are designed to nurture the well-being of every student within our esteemed school system. The Taylor County Mental Health team are professionals committed to providing a safe and supportive environment. Through a range of evidence-based programs, counseling sessions, and resources, we aim to promote mental wellness, foster resilience, and equip students with essential coping skills. At the heart of our mission is a genuine concern for each student's journey, ensuring that they have the tools they need to thrive both academically and emotionally.

 

    Partnerships:

Taylor County partners with local resources to help provide services to as many students and their families as possible. Below are some of our current partners: Apalachee Mental Health Services: Phone:850-584-5613 Website: https://apalacheecenter.org

A New Dawn, A New Beginning, INC: Phone:850-329-5776 Website: https://www.anewdawnanewbeginning.com Disc Village: Phone:850-223-1003 Website: https://discvillage.org Florida Therapy: Phone:850-878-0494 Website: https://flatherapy.com Panhandle Therapy: Phone:850-674-8888 Website: https://panhandletherapycenter.com

 

If you are interested in mental services, we can assist you or you can reach out to our partnering agencies directly. If you would like for the school system to assist you with coordinating the services please complete the following form: Mental Health Services Referral Form

 

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the Mental Health Coordinator! Dawna Haswell, LCSW Phone:850-838-2536 Email: dawna.haswell@taylor.k12.fl.us

 

 

    Additional Resources:

If you or anyone you know is facing a mental health crisis, please reach out.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a national network of local crisis centers that provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in the United States. · Call: 1-800-273-8255 · Website: https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/

Love Is Respect: A project of the National Domestic Violence Hotline, love is respect offers 24/7 information, support, and advocacy to young people between the ages of 13 and 26 who have questions or concerns about their romantic relationships. They provide support to concerned friends and family members, teachers, counselors, and other service providers through the same free and confidential services via phone, text, and live chat. · Call: 1-866-331-9474 · Text: Text: “LOVEIS” to 22522 · Website: https://www.loveisrespect.org/

Veterans Crisis Line: 24/7, confidential crisis support for Veterans and their loved ones. You don't have to be enrolled in VA benefits or health care to connect. · Call: 1-800-273-8255 and Press 1 · Text: 838255 · Website: https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/

National Substance Abuse Hotline: The National Rehab Hotline is free and available 24/7/365 to help anyone struggling through a substance use or mental health crisis get immediate help. The crisis hotline specialists can provide resourceful information about alcoholism, drug addiction, and mental health. · Call: 866-210-1303 · Website: https://nationalrehabhotline.org/

SAMHSA National Helpline: SAMHSA’s National Helpline is a free, confidential, 24/7, 365-day-a-year treatment referral and information service (in English and Spanish) for individuals and families facing mental and/or substance use disorders. · Call: 1-800-662-HELP (4357) · Website: www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline

Big Bend 211: Just as you would call 9-1-1 for emergencies, you can call 211 for human service information and assistance. Big Bend 211 is available 24 hours a day. · Call: (850) 617-6333 or 211 · Website: https://211bigbend.org/

 

    Resiliency Curriculum

In accordance with Florida Statute (6A-1.094121), every school district in the state of Florida is mandated to offer a comprehensive curriculum aimed at fostering youth mental wellness and resiliency. This curriculum, spanning five hours, is designed to cater to students from Kindergarten through 12th grade. It encompasses crucial topics such as character education, personal responsibility, mentorship, critical thinking, problem solving, substance abuse, and suicide prevention. By adhering to this statute, we ensure that our students are equipped with essential knowledge and skills to navigate challenges, promote their mental well-being, and contribute to a healthier and more supportive school environment. The Taylor County Implementation Plan can be reviewed at Me

In Taylor County we strive to meet the many needs of our students.  Below are some of the guidance services offered at various school sites.  For more information please contact the counselor at your child's school site.

Taylor County Primary School     

Lori Mixon - 850-838-2506 or 850-838-2530 

     

    Taylor County Elementary School 

    Angie Frostick - 850-838-2530 

     

    Taylor County Middle School          

    Missy Gray- 850-838-2516   

       

      Taylor County High School             

      Sonya Sadler and Sharon Jandula - 850-838-2525         

         

        Big Bend Technical Institute                  

        Sandy Hendry  - 850-838-2545    

        Mental Health Curriculum Being Taught To K- 12th Graders Per Florida Statute

        Florida Statute (6A-1.094121) requires each school district in the state of Florida to provide five hours of curriculum related to youth mental health awareness assistance, including suicide prevention and the impacts of substance abuse for each K through 12th grader.

        In Taylor County, we will use lessons that include videos that have been specifically created to serve the needs of our students.  These lessons and videos have been created by the Taylor County Mental Health Coordinator, using resources from the National Institute of Mental Health, Lauren's Safer Smarter Schools, and MBF Teen Safety Matters.  The curriculum will be coordinated by licensed mental health professionals with the assistance of educational professionals.

        These lessons, under the supervision of the mental health coordinators and will be implemented during class for middle school students and high school students. 

        The topics that are required to be covered within the course are as follows:

        1. Mental Health Awareness and Assistance
        2. Classes discussed characteristics of good mental health, characteristics of mental health problems and resources to help them if they are having a problem.
        3. Prevention of Suicide
        4. Students were given a safety plan to fill out for when they are feeling down.  They were asked to write down positive activities they can do, positive places they can go and people they can talk to.
        5. Prevention of Mental Health Disorders
        6. Recognition of Signs and Symptoms of Mental Health Disorders
        7. The Process of Accessing Treatment
        8. Strategies to Support A Peer, Friend, or Family Member with a Mental Health Disorder
        9. Prevention of the Abuse and Addiction to Alcohol, Nicotine, and Drugs
        10. Strategies to Develop Healthy Coping Techniques
        11. Awareness of Resources, Including Local School and Community Resources
        12. How to Reduce the Stigma Around Mental Health Disorders

         

         

        The Taylor County Implementation Plan for Substance Use and Abuse and Mental Health for the 2020 - 2021 School Year can be viewed at https://content.schoolinsites.com/api/documents/6c37209e34df4c9791bc905588caedba.pdf 

        If you have any question, please feel free to contact to contact Paul Peavy, Taylor County School District Mental Health Coordinator, you can email him at paul.peavy@taylor.k12.fl.us