Mason County Schools is excited to partner with the Cook Center for Human Connection and their Mental Health and Wellness Resource Center: ParentGuidance.org. This is a Mental Health and Well-Being library for all families that provide any adult and caretaker in the district with a trusted place to go for qualified answers to the toughest parenting challenges from the premier therapists, psychologists and psychiatrists in their respective specialties who offer compassionate, anonymous, and supportive guidance for you and your children.

This FREE resource offers over 50 courses in English and Spanish created and given by licensed clinicians addressing topics like: Anxiety, Depression, Self-Harm, Bullying, Social Media, Substance Abuse, Grief and Loss etc.

Why is this important?

• In 2021, the American Academy of Pediatrics declared a national emergency, noting that child and adolescent healthcare professionals are “caring for young people with soaring rates of depression, anxiety, trauma, loneliness, and suicidality that will have lasting impacts on them, their families, and their communities.”

• More than 700,000 people in the West Virginia live in communities that do not have enough mental health professionals.

• Educators report increases in behavior challenges and classroom disruptions since the Covid-19 pandemic interrupted in-person instruction and impacted schools, communities and homes over the course of several years.

Supporting the Mental Health Needs of Children

The evolving mental health needs of children continue to capture the attention of our families, schools and communities. The WVDE is expanding access to resources to help address the social emotional well-being of all children. 

Check out the ParentGuidance.org resources where you can access no-cost, on-demand courses led by licensed therapists on more than 50 topics.