As May is Mental Health Awareness Month, Emergence Health Network (EHN) amd the El Paso Independence School District worked alongside staff and students at El Paso High School to bring awareness to the importance of seeking help for behavioral health issues.
“We were approached by members of the student council at El Paso High wanting to help their fellow students learn that hope and help are available for those who might be experiencing emotional challenges. However, their goal also involved reaching out to adults such as teachers and school staff a
bout knowing how to recognize when teens need assistance,” said Kristi Daugherty Emergence Health Network Chief Executive Officer. “Fortunately, Emergence Health Network already has community training in place through its Mental Health Learning Library program. This course helps the public identify, understand and respond to an individual in a mental health crisis.”
Emergence Health Network provided suicide prevention training for some students at El Paso High on Thursday May 27.
“This is a great first step. Starting that conversation about the mental well-being of an individual can make a difference. Just a simple question and concern about how they are doing matters. Through our community training courses participants learn how to recognize signs and symptoms of behavioral health concerns and how to seek out appropriate services,” said Luis Chavarria, Community Training Manager.
EHN has also produced a video featuring students at EL Paso High School that delivers unique communication about teens and mental health.
“EHN does a lot of help our community with their mental health needs, but we are especially proud of this initiative because it sheds the stigma associated with seeking treatment for a mental health issue. We want our teens to know it’s okay to feel how they are feeling and the earlier they reach out and get help the better the outcome. It’s an impactful video with an important message,” added Daugherty.
To access the student video and shar, click here
