Schools across West Virginia are intensifying efforts to address student mental health by introducing a range of supportive programs. These initiatives aim to meet the emotional and behavioral needs of students, focusing on comprehensive services that include social-emotional teams and community partnerships.
In Berkeley County, every school now has a dedicated counselor and a structured counseling curriculum, according to Jessica Alfonso, executive director of organizational development and student learning experiences. “Every school has a counselor and they have a school counseling curriculum,” Alfonso stated. “They provide student support services to help students be successful in school. Key indicators of success are attendance, academics, and decreased discipline referrals.”
The Communities in Schools program plays a vital role in this effort by collaborating with students and parents to establish healthy routines. Alfonso highlighted the program’s focus on improving attendance and encouraging students to come to school regularly. “From my experience working with CIS, we helped coach parents on building nighttime and morning routines,” she explained. “Encouraging students to get on the bus and having structure at home are essential.”
Restorative practices are also a priority in Berkeley County. Alfonso noted that last year, the team was trained in restorative practice concepts and conversations aimed at repairing harm and fostering a safe classroom environment.
In neighboring Jefferson County, the mental health initiative includes a dedicated social and emotional support team, as shared by Lee Ebersole, director of social and emotional support. “We’re kind of unique among the counties,” he said, emphasizing the interdisciplinary approach taken by his team. “We also have a very supportive community. Our levy has an earmark to support social, emotional, and behavioral health.”
Ebersole confirmed that the Communities in Schools program is instrumental in supporting mental health initiatives in his county. “Right now, we have 11 facilitators in the county and have doubled them up at the high school due to the number of students there,” he noted.
Many districts employ a multi-tiered support system for mental health, according to Alfonso. “If a teacher, parent, or counselor identifies a student needing more support, our staff will try tier one and tier two interventions first,” she explained. These interventions may include one-on-one check-ins, group therapy, or connecting families with community resources. If further assistance is needed, students may be recommended for services through Project Aware, which offers virtual therapeutic support.
Jefferson County also provides school-based therapeutic services through community partners. Ebersole mentioned a role called the Service Options Specialist (SOS), a licensed counselor who assists families navigating both school and community support systems.
Feedback from the public regarding mental health services in Berkeley County has been overwhelmingly positive. Patrick Patton, coordinator of behavioral health in the county, stated, “We’ve had nothing but positive feedback regarding the mental health services in Berkeley County Schools. We have access to the students and are making sure barriers don’t stand in the way of families getting mental health care.”
School nurses are key players in this landscape as well. Ebersole remarked that every school has at least one counselor and nurse, with the school nurse often being the first line of defense for mental health issues. “We’ve invested in that work,” he added.
Alfonso noted that community members can help support students by utilizing referral forms available on school websites or participating in programs like Sources of Strength, a student-led suicide prevention initiative. “Every single one of our school websites has a referral form for social workers or school counselors,” she said. “That’s one way someone from the outside can refer a student for support.”
Looking ahead, officials are eager to create a coalition of therapy providers to offer in-person treatment and expand support to include families. Alfonso expressed a desire to recognize that not all students are suited for virtual therapy. “We’d really like to create a coalition of therapy providers for in-person therapy,” she said.
Ebersole echoed this vision, mentioning a proposal before the county commission aimed at broadening the focus from just the child to the family unit as well. “Our primary and most important concern is the children, but we’re also aware that sometimes the parents themselves could greatly benefit from being involved in a family approach to therapy,” he concluded.
As West Virginia school districts rally around mental health services, the ongoing commitment to fostering emotional well-being among students remains a top priority.
