Mental Health

What causes mental illness?

Typically, there isn’t one particular reason an individual develops a mental illness – it’s usually a combination of factors, which may include:

• Inherited traits or genes
• Psychological or emotional problems brought on by major life changes and/or events
• Exposure to environmental stressors before birth

How common is mental illness?

Millions of Americans are affected by mental illness. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), 1 in 5 adults in America experience mental illness each year, and 1 in 5 children ages 13–18 have, or will develop a serious mental illness.

What are the most common types of mental illness?

There are many different types of mental illness, but some of the most common types are depression, anxiety, behavioral disorders, and eating disorders.

How is TCS addressing the mental health needs of students?

• TCS Learning Supports Department includes a Mental Health Services Social Worker to coordinate the mental health services and intiatives available to our students and their families.
• Students with emotional and behavioral needs may receive additional classroom support through their Response to Intervention (RTI) Team.
• TCS has eleven licensed School Social Workers who are trained mental health professionals with specific expertise in child and adolescent mental health issues. 
• The Journey school-based counseling program provides individual therapy to students at their local school as a part of their school day.
• TCS counselors provide classroom lessons on social-emotional learning, character education, peer relationships, and healthy coping skills.
• Suicide prevention training is a requirement for all TCS employees.
• TCS has a suicide protocol and crisis intervention plan to address students who are experiencing a mental health crisis.
• TCS offers Youth Mental Health First Aid Training to employees. 

I am concerned about my child's privacy if I talk with my child's school about their mental health concerns. Will information be shared with anyone?

State and federal statutes provide specific protections to students and parents regarding mental health information. No information about your child's mental health may be shared without your written consent. 

mental health facts & figures

2025 Mental Health Awareness Calendar

• In an effort to increase mental health awareness with our students, families, employees, and community, we’d like to share information about mental health events, campaigns, and more that are happening in 2023.

  Below is a list of mental health awareness days, weeks, and months to help you find ways to get involved as they get closer. Each day/week/month event has a link to additional information, so be sure to check those out!

  Together we can increase mental health awareness and decrease stigma!

• Jan. 1- 31: Mental Wellness Month

• Jan. 3: International Mind-Body Wellness Day

• Jan. 15: Martin Luther King Jr. Day

• Jan. 27: Holocaust Remembrance Day

• Feb. 1-29: Black History Month

• Feb. 3: National Women Physicians Day

• Feb. 3-7: National School Counseling Week

• Feb. 26- Mar. 1: National Eating Disorder Awareness Week

• Mar. 1- 31: Disability Awareness Month

• Mar. 2: World Teen Mental Wellness Day

• Mar. 3-7: National School Social Work Week

• Mar. 5: Dissociative Identity Disorder Awareness Day

• Mar. 8: International Women’s Day

• Mar. 25-31: National Physicians Week

• Mar. 30: World Bipolar Awareness Day

• Apr. 1-30: Sexual Assault Awareness Month

• Apr. 1-30: Stress Awareness Month

• Apr. 7: World Health Day 

• May 1-31: Mental Health Awareness Month

• May 1-31: National Anxiety Month

• May 2: Childhood Depression Awareness Day

• May 3: National Anxiety Disorders Screening Day  

• May 5-9: Teacher Appreciation Week

• May 24: World Schizophrenia Awareness Day

• Jun. 1-30: National Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Awareness Month

• Jun. 27: National PTSD Awareness Day

• Jul. 1- 31: Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month

• Jul. 24: National Self-Care Day

Social emotional learning (SEL) is a framework that assists students of all ages to better understand their emotions. Social emotional learning helps students identify, feel, and learn prosocial ways to cope with emotions. These skills can be used to help students make positive decisions, as well as positive relationships with others. 

The Tuscaloosa City Schools implements social emotional learning through a multi-faceted approach, integrating it into various aspects of the school day and curriculum. Faculty and staff build positive relationships with students, encourage self efficacy, help students link feelings/emotions to behaviors, and communicate positively and respectfully with students. Social emotional learning lessons are also provided in the classroom setting to help all students learn positive coping skills. School Social Workers and School Counselors use social emotional learning techniques when working individually with students.

CASEL 5 SEL Model

Journey Program

The Journey Program is a collaboration between Indian Rivers Behavioral Health and the Tuscaloosa City Schools as a way to provide therapeutic services to students currently experiencing emotional and behavioral disruption in the school setting. Please contact your School Social Worker or School Counselor for more information.  

Sandy Hook Promise Anonymous Reporting System

Say Something Anonymous Reporting System allows students to make anonymous reports of things that could be a threatening situation. This includes, but not limited to acts of violence with (or without weapons, verbal or physical abuse, bullying, depression, anxiety, or other mental health concerns. All students have access to the Say Something Anonymous Reporting System on their school issued device. Parents and students can access this reporting system on the Tuscaloosa City Schools website. 

anonymous reporting system

New Heights Community Resource Center

New Heights Community Resource Center has partnered with community partners to provide multiple services in one place. Our partners provide mental health services, drug and alcohol prevention services, home modifications and transition services, disability support services, homelessness prevention services, food distribution, suicide prevention, literacy training, tutoring and mentoring, and many other services. A complete list of community partners can be found on the New Heights Community Resource Center’s website. 

New Heights Community Resource Center

Mental health literacy helps us take care of ourselves. For more information, please visit the Mental Health Literacy website.

Mental Health Literacy

Information for Parents

• How do I know if my child might be having difficulty in school due to mental health related issues?

  As a parent, you usually know your child better than anyone else. There are a variety of indicators that might suggest your child is having difficulties at school. Some possible things to look for include:

  • Suddenly complaining of illness when it is time to go to school or avoiding school
  • Sudden changes in school performance
  • Increase in disciplinary issues at school
  • Difficulty concentrating at school and at home
  • Sudden changes in mood
  • Complaining about physical symptoms like headaches, stomachaches, fatique, or chest tightness
  • Problems getting along with peers
  • Stressful situations at home such as marital or family problems, substance abuse, changes in living status, or domestic violence
  • History of exposure to traumatic events
  • Family history of mental health problems or concerns

   

  These are just some of the potential warning signs that your child may be having difficulties at school related to mental health concerns. As your child’s caregiver, it is important to look for any significant changes and pay attention to possible warning signs. 

  I have some concerns, what do I do next?

  If you have concerns about your child's mental health at school, contact your child's teacher, school counselor, school social worker, or school administrator. Your child's teachers are able to observe your child with other children in a classroom setting. Support staff, including school counselors, school social workers, and school administration may have insight about your child's emotional and behavioral health. School staff members want to partner with you and your child to ensure your child has the supports he or she needs to succeed, not only academically, but socially and emotionally. Our school counselors and social workers can talk with you about your concerns and make referrals to the appropriate services or resources to help your child with mental health concerns if needed. 

  What does the School Social Worker do?

  TCS School Social Workers help identify and assess family and school situations, and provide intervention to students whose social or emotional needs affect their academic learning on a consistent basis. TCS School Social Workers are all licensed mental health professionals with specific expertise in the area of child and adolscent mental health. School Social Workers may provide short-term mental health interventions for students who do not require more intensive interventions. For students/families that may need long-term, more intensive counseling services or additional services, the school social worker connects them with the appropriate community resource(s). The school social work role is a vital part of the educational team, working closely with school administrators, school counselors, school psychometrists, teachers, and pertinent staff to ensure a successful experience for all students. 

  School Social Workers help STUDENTS by working collaboratively with School Counselors/faculty to:

  • Identify problems and work to find help for them. These problems may include but are not limited to misbehavior in class, problematic peer relationships, alcohol / substance abuse, teen pregnancy or excessive absences
  • Develop effective coping strategies
  • Develop decision making skills
  • Understand themselves and others
  • Improve interpersonal relationships
  • Work through personal matters
  • Utilize school and community resources

  School Social Workers help PARENTS to:

  • Understand and meet their child’s social and emotional needs
  • Participate effectively in their child’s education
  • Utilize school and community resources
     

  School Social Workers help SCHOOLS to:

  • Understand factors (familial, societal, economic, etc.) that affect students’ abilities to make maximum use of their school experience
  • Utilize their resources to meet the educational, social, and emotional needs of students
  • Promote a safe school environment
  • Connect with resources within the community
     

  School Social Workers help COMMUNITIES to:

  • Understand school policies, programs, and practices
  • Develop and utilize resources to adequately meet the needs of students and families

  When should I contact the School Social Worker?

  Parents can contact the school social worker with questions about mental health and substance abuse issues, homelessness, food, clothing, domestic violence, access to healthcare, community resources, and all school-based concerns. 

  What Does a School Counselor Do?

  Your children might mention their school counselor or bring home newsletters and other information from the school counselor, but just what does a school counselor do? School counselors are key members of the education team and provide a wealth of services to help your children develop life skills and prepare the whole child for academic success. Some of the ways the prepare our students to be successful in the classroom include:

  School Counseling Curriculum

  • Academic skills support
  • Organizational, study and test-taking skills
  • Education in understanding self and others
  • Coping strategies
  • Peer relationships and effective social skills
  • Communication, problem-solving, decision-making and conflict resolution
  • Career awareness, exploration and planning
  • Substance abuse education
  • Multicultural/diversity awareness

   

• Individual Student Planning

  • Goal-setting/decision- making
  • Academic planning
  • Career planning
  • Education in understanding of self, including strengths and weaknesses
  • Transition planning

   

• Responsive Services

  • Individual and small group counseling
  • Individual/family/school crisis intervention
  • Peer facilitation
  • Consultation/collaboration
  • Referrals

   

• System Support

  • Professional development
  • Consultation, collaboration and teaming
  • Program management and operation

   

• Parents

  • Parent information night
  • Communication/networking
  • Academic planning programs
  • Parent and family education
  • One-on-one parent conferencing
  • Assessment results interpretation
  • Resource referrals
  • College/career exploration

   

• Teachers

  • Assistance with students’ academic plans
  • Classroom guidance activities on study skills, career development, etc.
  • Classroom career speakers
  • At-risk student identification and implementation of interventions to enhance success
  • Parent communication/education

   

• Administrators

  • School climate
  • Behavioral management plans
  • Student data and results
  • Student assistance team building
  • Leadership

   

• Students

  • Peer education
  • Peer support
  • Academic support
  • School climate
  • Leadership development

   

  When should I contact the School Counselor?

  Parents should contact the School Counselor to discuss academic, social/emotional concerns and behavioral issues. School Counselors are available to offer family support, discuss individual student needs and make appropriate referrals to community resources.

  How do I make an appointment with the School Counselor?

  Please call your child's school to set up an appointment with the School Counselor.

  How do I know if my child needs help right away?

  If your child is in crisis and is at risk for hurting himself or others, you should get help right away by calling 911.

Adult SEL 

PEEHIP Mental Health Benefits

Preventing Burnout

Mental Health APP