SMH_Rotator23

Parent/Caregivers

LAUSD School Mental Health (SMH) professionals promote the mental health, well-being, and academic achievement of all LAUSD students.

Parents and staff can work together to improve student’s mental health and promote academic success. Just as it is important to secure the physical health of your child it is also important to prioritize their mental health needs. Parents and families can strengthen mental health in the home environment to improve their child’s ability to bounce back from stressful situations.
​
SMH Trainings/Workshops are available for Parents/Caregivers.

Reslient Families / Familias Fuertes Surveys
​

How to Get Help for My Child

Like adults, children can experience environmental stress in school, the community and at home (e.g. Divorce, death of a loved one, community violence, school or home transitions, bullying, etc.). These stressors can often lead to changes in your child’s mood and/or behavior.  Without healthy coping skills, the emotions caused by stressors children are facing can result in challenges at school and in the home. 

Signs to look for:

​• Changes in mood, behavior, or appearance

• Low grades

• Not wanting to go to school or skipping class

• Low motivation isolation/withdrawal

• Irritable/easily angered

• Feelings of sadness and hopelessness

• Difficulty concentrating

• Changes in appetite or sleep

• Aggressive behaviors

• Loss of interest in activities that are enjoyable

• Feeling overly worried

What to do:

​• Contact the PSW or support staff at your child’s school for help with linkage to counseling services

• Apply for mental health services through one of several LAUSD Wellness Centers.

• Access www.211la.org or call 211 for additional information on counseling services.

What should I do if I am worried about my child harming themselves?

If you believe that your child is thinking about suicide, approach the situation by asking. Asking is the first step in saving a life and can let them know that you are here for them and will listen. Here are some examples of how you may ask: “Have you thought about suicide?” “Sometimes when people are sad as you are, they think about suicide. Have you ever thought about it?”