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Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS) has long prioritized the well-being of its students by providing a wide range of school and community-based resources to best support their needs.
Established in July 2018, M-DCPS’ Department of Mental Health Services provides enhanced mental health and wellness-focused services that promote students’ social-emotional development, prevent mental health challenges and address problems that currently exist.
School-based mental health professionals provide direct support to students experiencing such challenges through assessments, individual and group counseling, and interventions.
M-DCPS also partners with community-based providers, including The Children’s Trust, to ensure an expanded collaboration between schools, communities, and agencies offering a full continuum of mental health services at no cost to families. These agencies provide services including screenings and assessments, individual and group counseling, family counseling, substance abuse intervention, parent/teacher consultation and case management.
Within the student’s learning framework, M-DCPS incorporates social and emotional-learning programs and initiatives, which are instrumental in supporting the emotional well-being of students.
These universal programs are designed to give all students a foundation for better adjustment and academic performance reflected in more positive social behaviors and peer relationships, less emotional distress and improved grades and test scores.
Parents have played a key role in helping their children cope during the year-long pandemic. They have carried a heavy burden of stress and responsibility during this time, worrying about themselves and seeing their children struggle at times. Many children have had a tough time coping emotionally. Parents should regularly invite their children to talk about how they are feeling. Keep in mind that signs of stress and mental health challenges are not the same for every child or teen.
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, there are some similar symptoms, including the following:
• Changes in mood — ongoing irritability, feelings of hopelessness or rage and frequent conflicts with family and friends;
• Changes in behavior such as stepping back from personal relationships;
• Loss of interest in activities they previously enjoyed;
• Difficulty falling or staying asleep, or starting to sleep all the time;
• Changes in appetite, eating patterns or issues with weight;
• Less interest in schoolwork and drop in academic effort;
• Changes in appearance, such as lack of personal hygiene, and
• Thoughts about death or suicide.
The Academy offers the following tips on how parents can help children get through the stress of the pandemic:
• Have clear and honest conversations;
• Model a positive attitude;
• Keep healthy routines;
• Practice gratitude, giving and kindness for self;
• Maintain social interaction, and
• Seek professional help.
Parents in need of assistance can contact their child’s school; call the Department of Mental Health Services Assistance Line at 305-995-7100 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., or reach out via mentalhealthservices.dadeschools.net; contact the
Jewish Community Services of South Florida (JCS) 2-1-1 Helpline, 24-hours-a-day, seven-days-a-week or by calling 305-576-6550; the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255); or the National Crisis Line by texting 741741.
Sally Alayon is Assistant Superintendent, School Operations, Mental Health Services, Miami-Dade County Public Schools.
