New Palestine High School offers various mental health resources and events to support student wellness. The school district provides access to crisis support services and has organized a screening of "Screenagers NEXT CHAPTER," a film that addresses mental health challenges faced by teenagers in today's screen-filled society. These initiatives reflect the school district's commitment to addressing mental health concerns among students through accessible resources and educational events.
Mental Health Resources Available at New Palestine High School
New Palestine Community Schools provides a list of mental health resources for students, staff, and families. While these resources are not endorsed by the district, they serve as valuable connections to professional support services. The available resources include both crisis support and ongoing mental health services.
Local Crisis Support Services
The Mobile Response Team offers critical mental health support through several key services:
- Face-to-face brief supportive interventions for individuals in crisis
- Comprehensive assessment of the individual's mental health and substance misuse needs
- Facilitation of referral and admission to inpatient hospitalization when necessary
- Coordination of appropriate and available community-based services for ongoing treatment and follow-up
- Behavioral health support for individuals ages 5 and older
This team serves as an immediate resource for students experiencing acute mental health challenges, providing on-the-ground support and connection to higher levels of care when needed.
Aspire's 24-Hour Crisis Line
The district provides contact information for Aspire's 24-Hour Crisis Line, which offers round-the-clock support:
- Phone numbers: (800) 560-4038 or (317) 574-1252
- Available 24/7/365 with trained crisis coordinators
- Services include de-escalation support and safety planning
- Coordinators review skills being utilized in ongoing treatment
- Risk and level-of-need assessments are conducted
- Coordination with current treatment teams is provided
- Support and coordination with first responders and local hospitals
This immediate access to crisis support ensures that students and families can connect with professional help whenever needed, regardless of the time of day.
Aspire's Rely Center
The district also provides information about Aspire's Rely Center, which serves as a specialized mental health resource:
- A psychiatric urgent care and stabilization center
- Specifically designed for people experiencing mental health and/or substance use crises
- Offers immediate intervention for acute mental health episodes
This resource complements the crisis line by providing an in-person option for individuals requiring more intensive immediate support than what can be provided over the phone.
Screenagers NEXT CHAPTER Event
New Palestine High School hosted a screening of "Screenagers NEXT CHAPTER," a film that addresses mental health challenges faced by teenagers in today's technology-driven society. This event aligns with the school district's commitment to supporting student mental health through educational programming.
Focus of the Film
The documentary explores several key aspects of teen mental health:
- Understanding challenges in our current screen-filled society
- Strategies for parents and educators to empower teens
- Approaches to building emotional agility and stress resilience
- Development of communication skills among teenagers
- Evidence-based methods for supporting mental wellness
The film presents personal stories of families from diverse backgrounds dealing with various emotional challenges, offering relatable narratives that resonate with different experiences.
Evidence-Based Approaches Presented
"Screenagers NEXT CHAPTER" incorporates insights from multiple perspectives to provide comprehensive guidance:
- Personal stories of families navigating mental health challenges
- School-based strategies with applications beyond the classroom
- Research findings from brain researchers and psychologists
- Insights from thought leaders in youth mental health
- Focus on the impact of social media and screen time on mental health
- Practical approaches to help youth face struggles and build resilience
The film documents a journey from ineffective parenting strategies to improved approaches, demonstrating how families can adapt and evolve in supporting teen mental health.
Connection to Teen Mental Health Challenges
The documentary specifically addresses how screen time may be impacting teenagers' mental health:
- Exploration of the relationship between technology use and mental wellbeing
- Discussion of both positive and negative aspects of screen time
- Strategies for healthy technology boundaries
- Techniques for building resilience against digital-age stressors
- Focus on communication skills in an increasingly digital world
By addressing these topics, the event provides students, parents, and educators with tools to navigate the complex relationship between technology and mental health.
New Palestine Community Schools' Commitment to Student Wellbeing
Beyond specific mental health resources and events, New Palestine Community Schools demonstrates a broader commitment to student wellbeing through its educational approach and achievements. The district has been recognized as a high-performing school system in Indiana, with ILEARN scores in the top 7% statewide and ranking first in Hancock County and the Hoosier Heritage Conference.
Educational Opportunities Supporting Mental Health
The district offers various programs that indirectly support mental wellbeing:
- Early College Program where students have earned 71 Associate Degrees and 7,200 college credit hours
- Unique curricular opportunities in business, marketing, nutrition, engineering, education, and trades
- Twenty Advanced Placement and Dual Credit curricular offerings
- Recognition as the home of the 2022 VEX Robotics State Champions at the junior high level
These challenging and engaging educational opportunities contribute to student wellbeing by providing meaningful learning experiences and pathways to future success.
Supportive School Environment
The district's achievements reflect a supportive educational environment:
- Graduation rate near 96%, placing it in the top 20% of Indiana schools and first in Hancock County
- Competitive teacher salaries, ranking in the top five corporations in Indiana for starting teacher salary
- Strong administrative leadership with a principal serving in his 33rd year in education and 25th year as an administrator in the district
This supportive environment contributes to overall student wellbeing and creates a foundation for mental health awareness and support initiatives.
Integration of Mental Health in School Culture
While specific mental health awareness events beyond the Screenagers screening are not detailed in the provided resources, the combination of accessible crisis support, educational programming, and a high-performing school environment suggests a comprehensive approach to student mental health.
The district appears to integrate mental health considerations through:
- Providing clear pathways to professional support services
- Hosting educational events that address relevant mental health topics
- Maintaining an overall school environment conducive to student wellbeing
- Offering challenging academic programs that build confidence and purpose
Conclusion
New Palestine High School demonstrates a commitment to supporting student mental health through accessible crisis resources and educational programming. The available mental health support includes a Mobile Response Team, Aspire's 24-Hour Crisis Line, and the Rely Center for urgent psychiatric care. The screening of "Screenagers NEXT CHAPTER" addresses the specific challenges of teen mental health in today's digital age, providing evidence-based strategies for building resilience and emotional agility.
While the provided resources do not detail additional mental health awareness events, the combination of crisis support services and educational initiatives reflects a comprehensive approach to student wellbeing. The district's high performance and supportive environment further contribute to a foundation conducive to mental health awareness and support.
Students, families, and staff seeking mental health support can access the provided resources while remaining aware that these connections are not formally endorsed by the district. The crisis line and Mobile Response Team serve as immediate points of contact for those experiencing acute mental health challenges, while events like the Screenagers screening provide ongoing education about mental health topics relevant to teenagers.