On the Mark for Mental Health
by Alice Eberhart Wright, Mental Health Consultant, Region VII Technical Assistance Support Center, Menniger Clinic, Topeka, Kansas
The focus of mental health is feeling good, building on strengths, and seeing problems as challenges. That goes for everyone. It is important to remember that mental health in Head Start is for children, parents, and staff. To carry out the mental health component effectively, as well as every other component, it is imperative that the entire team communicates effectively and works well together.
Next there must be a mental health coordinator who loves people and has good communication skills. Although it would be desirable to have someone with some mental health training and/or experience, it is more essential that the person have the willingness to learn, is capable of finding resources, and can utilize the materials that have been developed specifically for Head Start. A good mental health coordinator is a creative problem solver who will hunt until s/he finds whatever is needed.
Be sure that you have secured the services of mental health professionals who can help you meet the varied mental health needs of children, families, and staff. Some mental health professionals may provide excellent teacher consultation and child screening/assessment services but may not be skilled in meeting mental health needs of parents. Look to other community agencies serving mental health needs of adults to supplement your mental health services.
There should already be a good working relationship with the public schools. You need to make friends with the Special Education department of your school district. They are mandated to assure services for special needs children between the ages of 3 and 5. If some children are experiencing emotional or behavioral problems that require more intervention than you are able to provide in your classroom, call on them for help - making sure that you have the parent's permission and cooperation to have their child evaluated.
Training and consultation should be budgeted for. Identify areas you need assistance with, such as dealing with trauma, coping with violence, handling substance abuse is sues with children and parents, resolving staff conflicts, helping parents discipline with love, building self-esteem, etc. Identify training opportunities provided by other community programs and send selected staff to appropriate workshops.
Have your mental health coordinator keep a file of books, videos, consultants, and training opportunities available through your regional training and technical assistance centers. Inform parents and staff of materials, such as free programs, work shops, and volunteer consultants.
Familiarize your staff with mental health materials, especially As I Am for teachers, Mental Health in Head Start: A Wellness Approach for mental health coordinators, Promoting Mental Health through the Head Start Experience (brochure), and Mental Health is Everybody's Business (video). A central shelf can be set up for mental health materials so that they will be visible even if there is staff turnover. A library of children's books dealing with difficult topics might be centrally located but available to individual classrooms through a checkout system. Ask your TASC for selections to meet your program's needs.
Finally, ask questions. Make sure you know the person responsible for mental health technical assistance in your regional TASC and contact that person.