Mental Health Services (MHS) is a collaboration between previously existing departments within DISD. During the summer of 2020, DISD combined the programs of Youth & Family Centers and Psychological and Social Services, to form one department, that is now known as Mental Health Services.

MHS currently offers services both on and off school campuses. On campus, you can find our School-Based staff. Off campus, at the Youth and Family Centers, you can find our Clinic-Based staff.

While counseling is offered through both settings, our school-based and clinic-based teams offer a variation of services within the district. Please see below for a brief explanination of the differences between teams:

School-Based:

• Campus Crisis Intervention
• Behavior Interventions
• Threat Assessments & Safety Planning
• Transition Services (returning to campus from DAEP/Inpatient Hospitalization)
• Coordination of Community Services
• Counseling Services
  • Typically short-term
  • Individual & group sessions
  • Long-term counseling available as determined appropriate

Clinic-Based:

• Mental Health Screenings/Assessments
• Psychiatric Evaluations & Medication Management
• Intensive Counseling
  • Typically long-term
  • Individual, group, and family sessions available
  • Alcohol and substance intervention services

• Physical Health Services:
  • Provided by Parkland Health
  • Routine, sick and chronic illness care
  • Sports physicals
  • Immunizations
  • Preventive Services
  • Health Education
  • STD/HIV Testing
  • Family Planning

The MHS, Special Education (SPED) and Counseling Departments each overlap, in regard to our separate goals of helping students achieve academic success. We want to ensure that you receive the most appropriate support and as such, below is a short list of services that are often sought, by each department:

Counseling Department

• Inquiries regarding student academics:
  • Class Schedules
  • Degree plans
  • Credits
  • Graduation
• Section 504 support and services.
• School policies regarding academics:
  • Attendance and Truancy
  • Credit Recovery
  • Virtual/Hybrid Learning Plan
• Additional services as appropriate can be found here.

SPED Department

• SPED placement
• Full and Individual Evaluations
• Student IEPs
• ARDs
• Assignment modifications
• Additional services as appropriate can be found here.

MHS Department

• Crisis Interventions
• Behavioral Interventions
• Couseling Services
• Psychiatric Medication Services
• Physical Health Services

MHS encourages you to reach out if you have concerns regarding your child's mental or physical health.

A few signs and symptoms to look out for, in student's whose mental health may be declining are:

1. Changes in sleep patterns.
2. Routinely being tired, especially if sleeping well each day.
3. Constantly being irritable/frustrated.
4. Changes in appetite and/or sudden changes in weight.
5. Loss of interest in activities they once enjoyed.
6. Appearing sad, withdrawn, disconnected from others.
7. Engagement in substances.
8. Comments regarding feeling worthless or hopeless.
9. Comments regarding thoughts of self harm.
10. Comments regarding no longer wanting to live.

If you have concerns regarding your student's mental health, please reach out to your student's counselor of the YFC that services your area. You can locate your YFC here.

In the event of psychiatric or medical emergency, please contact 911. For mental health crises, please request for a Mental Health Deputy to respond as well.

Additionally, services such as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is also available, to help walk individuals through psychiatric crises. They can be reached at (1) 800-273-8255.