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November 2019
Dear Parent/Guardian:
Each year students in grades 8, 10, and 12 participate in the Fairfax County Youth Survey – Healthy Behaviors Survey. This comprehensive survey examines behaviors, experiences, and other factors that influence the health and well-being of our county’s youth. Data from the 2018-2019 survey indicates that 28.3% of students reported feeling sad or hopeless, including 35.8% of female students and 20.3% of male students. Rates of feeling sad or hopeless increased with grade level, ranging from 23.8% of eighth-grade students to 33.0% of twelfth-grade students. The survey report can be found at https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/health-humanservices/fairfax-county-youth-survey/. South County High School continues to provide students education and resources to address mental health needs. Our staff will be working with students in the following ways:
Mental Wellness Screenings
The student services team will be administering a written, confidential wellness screening to the 9th and 11th grade student population. Below is the schedule:
November 12th: 9th grade students with last names A-K
November 14th: 9th grade students with last names L-Z
December 5th: 11th grade students with last names A-K
December 9th: 11th grade students with last names L-Z
Should you not want your child to participate in this screening, please click HERE to complete the opt-out form and return it to your student’s school counselor by November 8th.
Please note:
Students in grades 10 and 12 can also participate in the Mental Wellness Screening by contacting a member of our Student Services team (school psychologists, school social worker, school counselors). If you have questions regarding the screening or would like more information about the process, please contact Tonya Blanchard, School Psychologist, at tlblanchard@fcps.edu or Heather Frost, School Social Worker, at hlfrost1@fcps.edu, as always, if we have concerns about your student, we will be in communication with you immediately.
Grade Level Presentations
On January 16th all 10th grade students will attend (while the rest of school will watch it via streaming services) an assembly led by Lauren Anderson, the executive director of Our Minds Matter. Our Minds Matter is a program that creates a school environment that encourages open discussion of mental health, individual empowerment, use of appropriate mental health resources, and positive coping strategies. Please contact your student’s school counselor if you have any questions about the presentations.
Online Resources Addressing Teen Depression
A list of mental health resources can be found on the FCPS website at FCPS Mental Health Resources. We believe it is critical that our staff works in partnership with families to provide these services and resources to our students. Thank you for working with us.
Sincerely,
South County High School Student Services Team
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