TEAMING UP TO CREATE A CULTURE OF
Y
Mental Health
and Wellness
By Danielle Anderson
Addressing the Root Causes …
ou notice there’s something going on with
your child. They’re a little moody or responding
aggressively at the drop of a hat. Perhaps they’re
withdrawn and just not their normal, outgoing self. You
chalk it up to stress, the pressures of growing up, or
the impending summer vacation away from school and
friends, but how do you know when it’s really time to be
concerned and ask the professionals?
Here in St. Johns County, Florida’s number one school
district, administrators say programs are put into place
for students from an early age, to help set the stage
for positive outcomes, however unforeseen factors in a
child’s life can lead to a crisis situation.
Working to de-escalate situations, the St. Johns County
Sheriff’s Office is currently in the process of CIT or crisis
intervention training according to Sheriff David Shoar,
a longtime advocate for mental health services in
St. Johns County.
While counties across Florida stepped up their mental
health programs this past school year with the
requirements mandated by the Marjory Stoneman
Douglas High School Public Safety Act, there continue
to be sporadic situations resulting in zero tolerance
responses from school districts and law enforcement.
After all, there’s no room for error.
“We have deputies at the schools and we are very closely
in touch and collaborate almost daily with the folks in
the school system,” said Shoar. “We have early warning
systems in place at our schools for children who may be
experiencing something that we’re not aware of.”
Among those resources receiving additional funding
and attention, mental health support has risen to the
forefront of the conversation. Prevention, response and
long-term care are the new buzz words for legislators,
administrators and families.
Options and plans vary among the 67 counties in Florida
but one thing is for sure, schools, law enforcement and
mental health providers are working in tandem to ensure
the children in their communities are receiving the best
possible support and care.
Another tool in the toolbox for the school district is
their network of like-minded agencies with rapid
response times.
The St. Johns County School district partnered with St.
Augustine Youth Services (SAYS) in 2015 to launch the
Mobile Crisis Response Team (MCRT), according to the
non-profit’s director of development, Chelsea Reppin.
S T. J O H N S H E A LT H A N D W E L L N E S S M A G A Z I N E | 7