By The Dickinson Press, January21, 2020
Beach Public Schools is pleased to announce a new partnership with The Village Family Service Center to provide school-based mental health services, thanks to funding from the Burgum Foundation and the Katherine Kilbourne Burgum Family Fund. Torina McConnachie, a licensed counselor with The Village’s Bismarck office, will provide in-house counseling one day a week, either in person at the school or via telemental health services. This includes assessment, evaluation and treatment of mental health issues, such as depression, anxiety and ADHD.
Research shows that, nationally, 1 in 5 children age 13 to 18 live with a mental health condition. Suicide is the second leading cause of death in North Dakota youth ages 15 to 24, according to the state Department of Health. As more students face mental health challenges, due to an increase in adverse childhood experiences, bullying, and other factors, Beach Public Schools believes connecting students with help is an important, long-term solution to the crises kids face as young adults.
School-based mental health services reduce transportation and financial barriers for students to receive the help they need, as students can remain in the classroom and parents do not need to disrupt their normal workday for appointments. Village counselors are trained in evidence-based models of therapy proven to provide positive outcomes for children.
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