By Dewey Terrill and Dr. Ferrell Miller

JC Post

“Strengthening Families” is the name of a program established to teach parenting skills at both middle schools in USD 475. Also a therapist has been assigned at the Freshman Success Academy and Washington Elementary School.

The Supervisor of Therapy and Evaluation Services at Pawnee Mental Health in Junction City, Maria Ellis, was the guest speaker at the JC Breakfast Optimist Club Wednesday.

Ellis said “when students act out it is often a reflection of some issue in the family. This may include, but not be limited to an illness, abuse, homelessness, a deployment, separation or unemployment. The child may be in foster care, returning from a psychological rehabilitation services facility or experiencing neglect. Teachers, police, firefighters and others need to have skills with which to deal with people experiencing those issues. Our community has done amazing things with limited resources.” Multiple organizations have come together to work together to address some of the concerns.

The Geary County Health Council worked with Deb Andres, K-State Research and Extension Agent, and applied for a $5,000 grant to provide families with training for families using a curriculum titled “Mental Health First Aid.” It is an evidence-based curriculum used with adults who work with youth. The focus is non-judgemental, but provides skills in recognizing symptoms of problems and then how to deal with them.

Ellis also noted that “countries where the emphasis is on the benefits to the collective whole rather than the individual appear to have fewer mental health issues.” She encouraged Optimists and anyone who works with youth to continue to help lead and guide young people and their families.