The Mental Health Awareness program will begin in October and November for Grades 6-8. This includes a comprehensive mental health screening process to identify students who may benefit from additional support. As part of this process, we are utilizing the Social, Academic, Emotional, Behaviors Risk Screener (mySAEBRS). Another component of the comprehensive mental health screening process is a Mental Health Awareness program through Erika’s Lighthouse. Students will learn about mental health and how to seek help if they are concerned about themselves or a friend.

District 15 addresses suicide and depression awareness in conjunction with Board of Education Policy 7:290 Suicide and Depression Awareness and Prevention, to provide students, parents/guardians and employees with practices and procedures for early identification and referral of students possibly at risk of suicide.

Each year, students in Grades 5-8 receive information about good mental health through the Mental Health Awareness program. The Erika's Lighthouse curriculum is used in order to raise awareness about depression, mental health, suicide prevention, and breaking down the stigma surrounding mental health. 

Student mental health/well being is screened annually with a tool called the Social, Academic, and Emotional Behavior Risk Screener or SAEBRS from the FASTBridge assessment system. SAEBRS is a brief self-completed student questionnaire that is used to help identify students who may be experiencing distress or mental health concerns. Students with elevated risk are further screened to determine appropriate support actions. Parents are notified of this screening prior to its use at their student’s school.

Parent/Guardian and Student Resources:

• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800-273-8255, https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/
  
  
• 988 Crisis Line: Text 988 for any mental health crisis and suicide prevention
   
• Crisis Text Line: text HOME to 741741 to reach a volunteer Crisis Counselor, https://www.crisistextline.org/ 
  
  
• Safe2Help Illinois helpline: text SAFE2 (72332), call 844-4-SAFEIL, visit website Safe2HelpIlliinois.com, or email HELP@Safe2HelpIL.com. 

Mental Health Awareness Resources for Parents

• Slideshow of the Mental Health Awareness Program
  
  
• Depression Discussion Guide for Parents
  
  
• Warning Signs of Depression vs. Suicide
  
  
• Erika's Lighthouse Parent Handbook - English
  
  
• Erika’s Lighthouse Parent Handbook - Spanish
  
  
• Community Resources - English
  
  
• Community Resources - Spanish