LINCOLN, Neb. (KOLN) – As students get back into the swing of things in the classroom, mental health remains one of the top priorities for Lincoln Public Schools. The district has 54 social workers along with a group of private practice therapists assisting with students needs. <\/p>\n
Every school in the district has at least one social worker, their role is to address any concerns by staff or from the students. If the students need someone to talk to the social worker is there to help out in a confidential setting. <\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s always that concern about kids because developmentally their brain is changing and their brain and the things that their brain is saying,\u201d said Becca Rivers Keck, LPS social worker. \u201cThe things their body is saying, they don\u2019t match, nothing makes sense anymore in a way. And so trying to help them make sense of that, it can lead them to want to do, you know, think about extreme choices.\u201c<\/p>\n
A social worker also works with parents to recommend therapy services if needed. For students who can\u2019t get therapy out of school, the district has private practice therapists that will work with students privately during the school day. <\/p>\n