EL PASO, TEXAS (KFOX14/CBS4) — A local mental health service is providing school counselors at Ysleta Independent School District with mental health first aid training.
Emergence Health Network (EHN) provided mental health first aid training to about 100 counselors in the district on Wednesday.
The Mental Health First Aid training aims to equip counselors with skills to assist students experiencing mental health issues or crises.
The 8-hour course covers how to respond to common mental health conditions and crisis scenarios, such as panic attacks, suicidal thoughts, or substance misuse.
Speaking to KFOX14/CBS4 on Wednesday, Luis Chavarria, EHN Community Training Director, explained, “The Mental Health First Aid Youth Program is designed to provide an action plan, you know, to a youth who might be going through a mental challenge or a substance use challenge, and really give them a chance, you know, to connect them to a professional.”
He added, “You don’t need a mental health diagnosis to go through a mental health crisis. Students, like anyone, can experience anxiety, depression, or emotional distress from a range of life circumstances. And knowing how to respond appropriately can make all the difference in a young person’s life.”
Lucy Gonzalez, a school counselor for YISD at Alicia R. Chacón Elementary School, emphasized the importance of the training, stating, “It is our responsibility when we see young students struggling, and how we could provide that first aid mental health. This benefits the students by having somebody on the campuses that are trained when they do come into crisis and need this intervention.”
Counselors who complete the training receive a yearly certification.
According to EHN, it offers the Mental Health First Aid training to school staff, organizations, and community members interested in learning more about mental illness and providing immediate support.
However, the mental health training comes at a vital time for schools as Senate Bill 12, which was approved by Texas lawmakers during the summer legislative session, continues to impact schools across Texas.
Senate Bill 12, which was implemented on Sept. 1, requires schools to obtain written consent from parents before providing students with “mental, emotional, or physical health” services. It also requires schools to notify parents anytime there are changes to these services.
In response to questions on the training amid the bill’s implementation, YISD said in a statement to KFOX14/CBS4, “School counselors receive this training every three years as part of their recertification process.”
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