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Advancing Wellness and Resiliency in Education
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Mental & Behavioral Health Newsletter |
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Greetings! Welcome to the new school year! We are thrilled to start the semester with our Mental and Behavioral Health newsletter. This newsletter is designed to provide valuable resources, tips, and support to help you navigate the challenges and triumphs of mental and behavioral health during the school year. We believe that mental wellbeing is crucial for academic success and personal growth, and we are committed to fostering a supportive and healthy environment for all students.
Stay tuned for insightful information that will empower you to gain a positive perspective on supporting students and adults with their mental health. Let’s make this school year a great one!
Mental and Behavioral Health Team Inbox: mentalandbehavioralhealth@tea.texas.gov
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This new TEA Webpage provides information on legislation passed during the 89th regular legislative session, including changes to the Texas Education Code and other Texas statutes. Implementation resources will also be shared here to support school leaders. As additional information becomes available, it will be communicated to school systems and posted on this page.
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Important Update: New Child Abuse Reporting Timeline Effective Immediately
As a result of Senate Bill 571, passed during the 89th Texas Legislative Session, there has been an amendment to Texas Family Code §261.101(b). This change directly impacts the timeline for reporting suspected child abuse or neglect. The required timeframe to report suspected child abuse has been reduced from 48 hours to 24 hours after first suspecting that a child has been abused or neglected. This change applies to all professionals who are required by law to report suspected abuse or neglect, including educators and nurses.
New TCMHCC Resource List Available for School Districts
Per HB 6, 89th Legislature, Regular Session, the Texas Child Mental Health Care Consortium (TCMHCC) is now required to provide each school district with a list of health providers to which TCHATT refers students. This list is now available on their website and will be updated quarterly. TCMHCC Resource List – TCMHCC
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Educators are often the first line of defense in protecting children from abuse. This essential training equips participants with the knowledge and tools to recognize warning signs, understand legal reporting mandates, and foster a safe, supportive classroom environment. The course also addresses the critical issue of human trafficking among school-aged children, offering resources and guidance to help educators respond effectively.
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This new resource is intended for transportation staff and includes information on how to support students with disabilities on the school bus. You will find information about supporting behavior on the school bus, disability characteristics, disability-specific support strategies, and examples of actions to take or avoid as transportation staff in support of students with disabilities.
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Entering its sixth year, the partnership between Education Service Center Region 13, PAXIS Institute and the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) will continue to offer free trainings to those working with children or families throughout Texas.
The PAX Good Behavior game provides classroom-based strategies to educators & staff to implement evidence-based Kernels to decrease problematic behavior, improve academic performance, & increase student engagement.
Trainings will begin again in late September. Visit https://texasgoodbehaviorgame.org/ for updates or email paxgbg@esc13.net to schedule a training for your school.
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Mental Health First Aid (MHFA)
MHFA introduces participants to the signs and symptoms of mental health and substance use concerns and gives an overview of common treatments and resources. Public and private school employees may receive free MHFA training. For more information, please visit: Mental Health First Aid Training | Texas Health and Human Services. To register for MHFA training, contact the MHFA Outreach Worker at your local mental health authority (LMHA) or local behavioral health authority (LBHA).
AS+K About Suicide to Save a Life
September 11th, 2025 from 9am to 12pm: A gatekeeper training which covers suicide data, risks and protective factors. Email suicide.prevention@hhs.texas.gov to register for the training and to learn more.
Safety Planning Intervention Training for Trainers
November 6th, 2025 from 8:30am – 4:00pm: Safety Planning training teaches safety planning for someone at risk for suicide. To register for this training email suicide.prevention@hhs.texas.gov.
Suicide Prevention Awareness Month Webinar Series
Register today for this free webinar series every Friday in September from the HHSC Suicide Prevention Team. For questions about this broadcast series, please email suicide.prevention@hhs.texas.gov.
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 Midland ISD Mental Health Team
In this spotlight Midland ISD showcases their efforts to establish Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) where all students have access to interventions to meet student’s individual social, emotional, and behavioral needs. The Midland ISD team engaged their local philanthropic partners to assess their needs after noticing a rise in mental health concerns throughout their community.
This needs assessment included engaging students, teachers, and other school community members to understand areas of improvement. This assessment informed the district’s action plan to reduce student wait times for services, identify additional community-based mental health resources, and implement strategies for early mental health interventions. This action plan led to increased capacity to deliver mental health supports along the MTSS.
In one school year, the 6 MISD mental health professionals providing individual counseling served over 300 students, provided more than 88,000 minutes of direct counseling services, and referred an additional 350 students to local community mental health agencies.
When considering the Texas School Mental Health Framework, Midland ISD’s plan addresses multiple components of a comprehensive school mental health system, including positive youth development, positive behavior intervention and supports, safe and supportive school climate, and managing emotions and decision-making skills.
Learn more about the Midland ISD approach by reading the article, “Midland ISD Creates Mental and Behavioral Health Action Plan to Support the Whole Child”.
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As summer winds down and students return to school, it's important to recognize that readiness involves more than just backpacks and school supplies—it includes mental and emotional well-being. With one in five children experiencing a diagnosable mental health condition, early awareness and support are essential.
As the school year begins, prioritizing mental health alongside academic and physical readiness can help children thrive. Below are some tips for families and educators to support a healthy transition back to school.
For Parents and Caregivers
- Encourage open conversations about school-related feelings
- Establish consistent routines for sleep, meals, and homework
- Attend school orientations or visit the school ahead of time
- Promote social interactions to rebuild friendships and foster new ones
For Educators
- Provide a safe, secure, and supportive environment for students to grow and thrive
- Train to recognize the signs of mental health challenges
- Create policies and procedures to notify parent/caregivers when a student displays signs of mental health challenges and provide available resources
Helpful Resources
Excerpts from: SAMHSA, “Back to School and Mental Health: Supporting Our Children for a Successful Year Ahead” by Dr. Sunny Patel M.D., M.P.H.
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The Texas Education Agency will improve outcomes for all public-school students in the state by providing leadership, guidance, and support to school systems.
     
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